79R421 MCK-D

By:  Van de Putte                                                 S.B. No. 101


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.