78R6262 JSA-D
By: Hardcastle H.B. No. 1420
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of a portion of medical school tuition for
student loan repayment assistance for physicians.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.539, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 61.539. MEDICAL SCHOOL TUITION SET ASIDE FOR CERTAIN
LOAN REPAYMENTS. (a) The governing boards of each medical unit of
an institution of higher education shall cause to be set aside two
percent of tuition charges for each student [resident students]
registered in a medical branch, school, or college.
(b) The amount set aside shall be transferred to the
comptroller of public accounts to be maintained in the state
treasury for the sole purpose of repayment of student loans of
physicians serving in designated state agencies or economically
depressed or rural medically underserved areas of the state as
specified by this subchapter. Section [Sections 403.094(h) and]
403.095, Government Code, does [do] not apply to the amount set
aside by this section.
(c) As soon as practicable after each state fiscal year, the
comptroller shall prepare a report for that fiscal year of the
number of students registered in a medical branch, school, or
college, the total amount of tuition charges collected by each
institution, the total amount transferred to the treasury under
this section, and the total amount available under Subsection (b)
for the repayment of student loans of physicians under this
subchapter. The comptroller shall deliver a copy of the report to
the board and to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
the house of representatives not later than January 1 following the
end of the fiscal year covered by the report.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies
beginning with tuition fees charged to students registered in a
medical branch, school, or college for the 2003-2004 academic year.
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.