79R421 MCK-D

By:  McClendon                                                    H.B. No. 303



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to electronically monitoring certain veterans' and 
dependents' tuition exemptions.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 54.203, Education Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
	(h)  The governing board of each institution of higher 
education shall electronically report to the Texas Veterans 
Commission the information required by Section 434.107, Government 
Code, relating to each individual receiving an exemption from fees 
and charges under Subsection (a) or (b).  The institution shall 
report the information not later than December 31 of each year for 
the fall semester, May 31 of each year for the spring semester, and 
September 30 of each year for the summer session.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter C, Chapter 434, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 434.107 to read as follows:
	Sec. 434.107.  ELECTRONIC SYSTEM TO MONITOR TUITION 
EXEMPTIONS FOR VETERANS AND DEPENDENTS.  The commission shall 
develop a system to electronically monitor the use of tuition 
exemptions under Section 54.203, Education Code.  The system must 
allow the commission to electronically receive, for each semester, 
the following information from institutions of higher education:
		(1)  the name of the institution;                                      
		(2)  the name, identification number, and date of birth 
of each individual attending the institution and receiving benefits 
for the semester under Section 54.203, Education Code;
		(3)  for each individual receiving benefits, the number 
of credit hours for which the individual received an exemption for 
the semester;
		(4)  for each individual receiving benefits at the 
institution during the semester, the total cumulative number of 
credit hours for which the individual has received an exemption at 
the institution; and
		(5)  any other information required by the commission.                 
	SECTION 3.  Not later than October 1, 2005, the Texas 
Veterans Commission shall develop the system required by Section 
434.107, Government Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 4.  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, 2005.