By:  Wise                                                         H.B. No. 58 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to reimbursing veterans for the cost of required textbooks 
and similar required course materials.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 56, Education Code, is amended by adding 
Subchapter B to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER B.  OTHER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
	Sec. 56.011.  ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS. 
(a)  Each institution of higher education shall establish a program 
that reimburses students who receive a tuition exemption under 
Section 54.203 for the cost of required textbooks and similar 
required course materials.
	(b)  To receive a reimbursement, a student must apply for the 
reimbursement and provide proof of the expenditures for which 
reimbursement is sought.
	(c)  The coordinating board shall include funding for the 
program in its funding formulas under Section 61.059.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  This Act takes effect immediately and 
applies beginning with the 2003-2004 academic year if it receives a 
vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.
	(b)  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for 
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and 
applies beginning with the 2004-2005 academic year.