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.