SRC-TJG H.B. 261 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 261
78R2303 JSA-DBy: Hupp (Fraser)
                     Administration
                  4-29-2003
Engrossed

DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Military families are among the most mobile members of our society.  Some
believe that a university enrollee who is in the military, or is a
dependent of military personnel, should be able to continue paying tuition
at an in state rate even if the member of the military retires.  H.B. 261
provides that a member of the armed forces of the United States, or the
child or spouse thereof, who is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the
rate provided for Texas residents under another provision of this section
while enrolled in a degree or certificate program is entitled to pay
tuition and fees at the rate provided for Texas residents in any
subsequent term or semester while the person is continuously enrolled in
the same degree or certificate program, and provides that the provision
does not terminate because the person is no longer a member of the armed
forces of the United States, or the child or spouse of a member of the
armed forces of the United States. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 54.058, Education Code, by adding Subsection
(j), as follows: 

(j)  Provides that a member of the armed forces of the United States, or
the child or spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States,
who is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Texas
residents under another provision of this section while enrolled in a
degree or certificate program is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the
rate provided for Texas residents in any subsequent term or semester while
the person is continuously enrolled in the same degree or certificate
program.  Provides that for the purposes of this subsection, a person is
not required to enroll in a summer term to remain continuously enrolled in
a degree or certificate program.  Provides that the person's eligibility
to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Texas residents under
this subsection does not terminate because the person is no longer a
member of the armed forces of the United States, or the child or spouse of
a member of the armed forces of the United States. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that Section 54.058(j), as added by this Act, applies
beginning with the 2003 fall semester to a person who was a member of the
armed forces of the United States, or the child or spouse of a member of
the armed forces of the United States, entitled to pay tuition and fees at
the rate provided for Texas residents under Section 54.058 (Military
Personnel and Dependents), Education Code, while enrolled in a degree or
certificate program at a public institution of higher education in this
state in the 2003 spring semester or in any term of the 2003 summer
session. 

SECTION 3. Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.