S.B. 814 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 814 By: Averitt Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, Texas law exempts persons on active military duty from the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP). Many Texas high school graduates enlist in the U.S. armed forces, one of the reserve components, or the Texas Army or Air Force National Guard. It is important for all of these Texans to know that higher education is important and their service is supported, and the need for an educated workforce continues to be a priority for Texas. As proposed, S.B. 814 expands the exemption from the TASP to include reservists and national guardsmen with three years of service and any veteran honorably discharged, retired, or released from the above mentioned branches of the military since August 1, 1990. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authorities to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 51.306(r), Education Code, to exempt from the Texas Academic Skills Program requirements a student serving on active duty as a member of the Texas National Guard; a student serving, and who has served for at least three years as a member of the reserve component of the armed forces of the United States; or a student who on or after August 1, 1990, was honorably discharged, retired, or released from the above mentioned branches of the military. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.