79R1057 CAS-D

By:  Shapleigh                                                    S.B. No. 80 


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the percentage of certain tuition set aside to fund financial assistance for resident undergraduate and graduate students at public institutions of higher education. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 56.011(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The governing board of each institution of higher education shall cause to be set aside not less than 40 [20] percent of any amount of tuition charged to a resident undergraduate student under Section 54.0513 in excess of $46 per semester credit hour. The funds set aside under this section by an institution shall be used to provide financial assistance for resident undergraduate students enrolled in the institution. SECTION 2. Section 56.012(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The governing board of each institution of higher education shall cause to be set aside not less than 20 [15] percent of any amount of tuition charged to a resident student enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program under Section 54.0513 in excess of $46 per semester credit hour. The funds set aside under this section by an institution shall be used to provide financial assistance for resident students enrolled in graduate and professional degree programs at the institution. SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only to the portion of tuition set aside under Sections 56.011 and 56.012, Education Code, beginning with the 2005 fall semester. The portion of tuition set aside under those sections in an academic period before the 2005 fall semester is covered by the applicable law in effect before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. 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.