By:  Hupp, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Fraser)                       H.B. No. 261
	(In the Senate - Received from the House April 25, 2003; 
April 28, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on 
Administration; May 6, 2003, reported favorably by the following 
vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 6, 2003, sent to printer.)


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to the eligibility of armed forces personnel and their 
family members to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided to Texas 
residents.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 54.058, Education Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:
	(j)  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.  For 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.  
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.  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, 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.  This Act takes effect immediately 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.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.



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