LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 78TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
Revision 1
 
April 28, 2003

TO:
Honorable Geanie Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education
 
FROM:
John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2860 by Morrison (Relating to higher education assistance for the spouses and dependents of certain persons killed during the campaign against terrorism, including homeland defense.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.


The bill would apply tuition and fee exemptions to persons who served during Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle, or the national emergency which began on September 11, 2001.  The bill would also allow spouses of veterans who died as a result of military service to receive this exemption.

Current statutes provide eligibility to veterans who served during the Cold War era, which has been interpreted through an Attorney General opinion to have begun on February 1, 1955.  The termination of the Cold war era has not been officially declared by the Legislature, therefore all veterans who have met the active duty requirement since February 1, 1955, are already eligible for tuition and fee exemptions. 

Current statute also provides for tuition and fee exemptions for veterans who serve in any future national emergency declared in accordance with federal law.  This provision would apply to the national emergency declared on September 11, 2001.

It is anticipated that extending the tuition and fee exemption to spouses of veterans who died as a result of military service would not have a significant fiscal impact.  Based on figures provided by the Higher Education Coordinating Board on other tuition and fee exemption bills that apply to military dependents, it is assumed that the number of individuals who would take advantage of this provision would not be significant. 


Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.



Source Agencies:
781 Higher Education Coordinating Board
LBB Staff:
JK, CT, WK, PF, MG