BILL ANALYSIS
By: Delisi
Defense Affairs & State-Federal Relations
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The State of Texas currently grants an exemption for tuition and certain fees for Texas veterans who attend college under Chapter 54 of the Texas Education Code. The children of a member of the military killed while serving are eligible to obtain the same educational benefit.
HB 125 would extend this benefit to the children of military personnel who become totally disabled in the line of duty.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
HB 125 amends Section 54.203, Education Code, to extend tuition and fee exemptions to the children of members of the armed forces of the United States who became totally disabled for purposes of employability according to the disability ratings of the Department of Veterans Affairs as a result of a service-related injury. The bill also provides that children of members of the Texas National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard who were killed in action or are totally disabled for purposes of employability according to the disability ratings of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as a result of a service-related injury, are eligible for the tuition and fee exemption.
The bill clarifies how these benefits relate to other federal benefits that may apply. This bill applies beginning with tuition and fees charged for the first semester after the bill goes into effect, but not earlier than the 2007 fall semester.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.