78R5814 JSA-D

By:  Van Arsdale                                                  H.B. No. 2885



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to tuition rates for certain undergraduate students at 
general academic teaching institutions.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 54, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 54.0511 to read as follows:
	Sec. 54.0511.  TUITION FOR UPPER-DIVISION UNDERGRADUATE 
STUDENTS.  (a)  This section applies to a resident or nonresident 
undergraduate student who enrolls at a general academic teaching 
institution and who:
		(1)  has previously enrolled in four or more semesters 
or summer sessions at one or more institutions of higher education, 
as defined by Section 61.003, in each of which the student completed 
at least one course; and
		(2)  has previously earned 60 or more semester credit 
hours at one or more public or private institutions of higher 
education, including semester credit hours earned by examination.
	(b)  Notwithstanding Sections 54.051 and 54.0512, tuition 
for a student to whom this section applies is an amount per semester 
or term set by the governing board of the institution in which the 
student is enrolled in an amount the governing board determines 
necessary for the effective administration of the institution.  A 
governing board shall set tuition under this section in a single 
amount for each semester or term for which a student enrolls, 
without regard to the number of semester credit hours for which the 
student enrolls.  A governing board may set tuition in a different 
amount per semester or term for each degree program.
	(c)  Section 54.0513 does not apply to tuition set under this 
section.
	(d)  In the formulas established under Section 61.059, the 
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall account for a 
student who pays tuition at a rate set under this section as if the 
student pays tuition at the rate that would apply to the student 
under Section 54.051 or 54.0512, as applicable.
	SECTION 2.  This Act applies to tuition for each term or 
semester that begins on or after the effective date of this Act, but 
does not apply to a term or semester of the 2002-2003 academic year.  
Tuition for a term or semester that begins before the effective date 
of this Act is covered by the law in effect immediately before the 
effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in 
effect for that purpose.
	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.