79R9464 KSD-D

By:  Rodriguez                                                    H.B. No. 2780



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to tuition and fee benefits for graduate students employed 
as teaching assistants, assistant instructors, or research 
assistants at public institutions of higher education and for 
certain family members of those students.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 54.063, Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:   
	Sec. 54.063.  TEACHING OR RESEARCH ASSISTANT.  (a)  An 
assistant instructor, [A] teaching assistant, or research 
assistant of any institution of higher education and the spouse and 
children of the assistant instructor, [such a] teaching assistant,
or research assistant are entitled to register in an [a state] 
institution of higher education by paying the tuition fees and 
other fees [or charges] required for Texas residents under 
Subchapter B [Section 54.051 of this code,] without regard to the 
length of time the instructor or assistant has resided in this state 
[Texas], if the instructor or assistant is employed at least 
one-half time in a teaching or research assistant position that 
[which] relates to the instructor's or assistant's degree program 
under rules [and regulations] established by the employer 
institution.
	(b)  The governing board of an institution of higher 
education shall exempt from the payment of tuition fees a graduate 
student who:
		(1)  is employed at the institution as an assistant 
instructor, teaching assistant, or research assistant;
		(2)  is researching or writing the report, thesis, or 
dissertation required by the student's graduate degree program; and
		(3)  is not enrolled in a course with organized course 
work.         
	(c)  A student is considered to be enrolled as a full-time 
student for all purposes if the student:
		(1)  is entitled to an exemption from tuition fees 
under Subsection (b); or
		(2)  would be entitled to an exemption from tuition 
fees under Subsection (b) except that the student is enrolled in a 
course with organized course work.
	(d)  In its appropriations to general academic teaching 
institutions, the legislature shall compute the local funds 
available to each institution as if the tuition fees for which an 
exemption is granted under Subsection (b) were collected by the 
institution.
	(e)  In this section, "general academic teaching 
institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
	SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies 
beginning with the 2005 fall semester.
	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, 2005.