78R1153 KEL-D

By:  Dutton                                                       H.B. No. 365



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an exemption from or refund of tuition and fees for 
certain lower-division students enrolled at Texas Southern 
University and Prairie View A&M University.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 54.220 to read as follows:
	Sec. 54.220.  EXEMPTION FOR LOWER-DIVISION STUDENTS AT 
CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. (a)  An entering freshman 
student enrolled at Texas Southern University or Prairie View A&M 
University is entitled to a refund of tuition and required fees paid 
by the student under this chapter for the first semester or term for 
which the student enrolls at that university if the student:
		(1)  graduated from a private high school, including a 
home school, or a public high school in this state;
		(2)  is classified as a Texas resident under Subchapter 
B; and       
		(3)  for all courses attempted that initial semester or 
term earns a grade point average of at least 2.0 on a four-point 
scale or the equivalent.
	(b)  To receive a refund under Subsection (a), the student 
must apply to the university in the manner required by the 
university not later than the first anniversary of the last class 
day of the semester or term.
	(c)  A student enrolled at Texas Southern University or 
Prairie View A&M University is exempt from the payment of tuition 
and required fees authorized by this chapter for a semester or term 
of the student's first two academic years, other than a semester or 
term covered by Subsection (a), at that university if the student:
		(1)  graduated from a private high school, including a 
home school, or a public high school in this state;
		(2)  is classified as a Texas resident under Subchapter 
B; and       
		(3)  maintains an overall grade-point average of at 
least 2.0 on a four-point scale or the equivalent for all prior 
coursework attempted at the university.
	(d)  A student receiving an exemption under this section for 
one or more semesters or terms may not enroll for the student's 
third academic year at the university until the student passes an 
examination to be selected and administered by the university.
	(e)  A university to which this section applies may fund 
tuition and fee refunds and exemptions under this section from 
local funds or from funds appropriated to the university.  The 
university may but is not required to provide tuition and fee 
refunds or exemptions beyond those funded through state 
appropriations specifically designated for this purpose.
	(f)  A person may not receive a refund or exemption under 
this section for a semester or term that begins after the 2022-2023 
academic year.  This section expires September 1, 2024.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with tuition and fees 
charged for the 2003 fall semester.
	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.