79R8521 JRJ-D

By:  Lucio                                                        S.B. No. 1037


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to tuition rates for Olympic athletes residing and training in Texas. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 54.073 to read as follows: Sec. 54.073. TUITION RATES FOR OLYMPIC ATHLETES. (a) A person enrolled in an institution of higher education is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rates provided for Texas residents if the person: (1) is in residence and in training as a participating athlete in a Community Olympic Development Program or at a United States Olympic training center located in this state; (2) is residing permanently or temporarily in this state while in training as a participating athlete: (A) in a Community Olympic Development Program located in this state; or (B) at a United States Olympic training center located in this state in a program approved by the governing body for the athlete's Olympic sport; or (3) is residing permanently or temporarily in this state while in training as a participating athlete at a facility in this state approved by the governing body for the athlete's Olympic sport, in a program approved by that body. (b) Notwithstanding any other law, a person who is entitled to pay resident tuition and fees only as permitted by this section is not considered a Texas resident under this subchapter for purposes of a financial aid program offered by this state. SECTION 2. Section 54.073, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with tuition and other fees charged for the 2005 fall semester. Tuition and other fees charged for an academic period before the 2005 fall semester are covered by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. 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.