S.B. No. 1844




AN ACT

relating to scholarships for the fifth year of accounting programs 
at public and private institutions of higher education.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subsection (a), Section 61.756, Education Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The board, in consultation with the advisory committee 
appointed under Section 61.757, shall determine the maximum amount 
of any scholarship awarded under this subchapter [is $3,000].  The 
scholarship may be spent by the recipient on the expenses for 
tuition, fees, books, supplies, and living expenses incurred by the 
student in connection with the student's fifth year of an 
accounting program.  Scholarships shall be made available to 
eligible students attending:
		(1)  any institution of higher education; [as defined 
by Section 61.003 of this code,] or
		(2)  any nonprofit independent institution approved by 
the board under Section 61.222 [of this code].
	SECTION 2.  Subsection (c), Section 61.757, Education Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
	(c)  In addition to any other duties assigned by the board, 
the advisory committee specifically shall advise the board on:
		(1)  how the scholarships provided for under this 
subchapter should be established and administered to best promote 
the public purpose of the scholarships;
		(2)  the amount of money needed to adequately fund the 
scholarships and the maximum amount that may be awarded in any given 
year to an individual student; and
		(3)  any priorities among the factors identified by 
Section 61.754 [of this code].
	SECTION 3.  (a)  The changes in law made by this Act apply 
only to the amount of a scholarship awarded under Subchapter N, 
Chapter 61, Education Code, on or after the date this Act takes 
effect.  The amount of a scholarship awarded under Subchapter N, 
Chapter 61, Education Code, before the date this Act takes effect is 
governed by the law in effect on the date the scholarship is 
awarded, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	(b)  Before January 1, 2006, the Texas Higher Education 
Coordinating Board may adopt rules for the administration of 
Subsection (a), Section 61.756, Education Code, as amended by this 
Act, in the manner provided by law for emergency rules.
	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.

                                                                              




______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1844 passed the Senate on 
May 12, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1844 passed the House on 
May 25, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, two 
present not voting.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor