SRC-AMY S.B. 814 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 814
78R3071 KSD-DBy: Averitt
Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
3/20/2003
As Filed


DIGEST 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

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 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.