BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 582
By: Van de Putte
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the Hazlewood Act, as set forth in Section 54.203, Education Code, entitles eligible veterans to free tuition and free or reduced fees for up to 150 college credit hours at public institutions of higher education. Children of veterans can only benefit from the Hazelwood Act if the parent dies during or because of military service, or if the parent was a prisoner of war or missing in action. Currently, spouses do not have access to these benefits.
As proposed, S.B. 582 authorizes the children of a veteran to use the benefit if the veteran was completely and permanently disabled from his or her service, or if the veteran served active duty in the military for 20 years or more. It also authorizes the spouse of a veteran to use the benefit if both of the previously mentioned criteria are met.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.203, Education Code, by adding Subsections (b-1) and (e-1) and amending Subsections (c), (e), and (g), as follows:
(b-1) Requires the governing board of each institution of higher education to exempt a child of or spouse married to a member or former member of the armed forces of the United States from the payment of all tuition and required fees if certain conditions are met.
(c) Prohibits a person from receiving exemptions provided for in Subsections (a) and (b-1) for more than a cumulative total of 150 credit hours. Makes conforming changes.
(e) Provides that exemptions provided for in Subsection (a) and (b-1) do not apply to a person who at the time of registration is eligible for educational benefits under federal legislation if the value of those benefits is equal to or exceeds the value of the exemption. Provides that if the value of the federal benefits does not equal or exceed the value of exemption, the person must first utilize the federal benefit, and the combined amount of the federal benefit plus the amount of the exemption may not exceed the maximum value of the exemption. Makes conforming and nonsubstantive changes.
(e-1) Creates this subsection from existing text. Provides that a person is not eligible for an exemption under this section if the person is in default on a loan made or guaranteed for educational purposes by the State of Texas.
(g) Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to the fall 2005 semester.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.