BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 685

80R4512 JRJ-D                                                                                                      By: Van de Putte

                                                                                             Veteran Affairs & Military Installations

                                                                                                                                            4/10/2007

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently the Texas National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) provides an exemption from the payment of tuition to an institution of higher education.

 

As proposed, S.B. 685 exempts mandatory fees, in addition to tuition, for members of the Texas Military Forces attending institutions of higher education for up to 12 credit hours per semester through TAP.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 431.090, Government Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 431.090. New heading: ASSISTANCE FOR TUITION AND FEES. Provides for assistance for tuition and mandatory fees, rather than tuition, under this section to eligible members of the state military forces to encourage voluntary membership, to improve the education level of its members, to diversify the composition of the forces, and to enhance the state's workforce because the state military forces are the state's only organized, trained, and equipped military force under the direction of the governor available to respond to natural and man-made disasters. Prohibits a person from receiving assistance for tuition and mandatory fees under this section for longer than a certain amount of time. Makes conforming changes.

 

SECTION 2. Amends the heading to Section 54.2155, Education Code, to read as follows:

 

Sec. 54.2155.  New heading:  ASSISTANCE FOR TUITION AND FEES FOR MEMBERS OF STATE MILITARY FORCES.

 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 54.2155, Education Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c), as follows:

 

(a) Makes a conforming change.

 

(c) Requires an institution of higher education to exempt a person who receives an exemption from tuition under Subsection (b) from the payment of all mandatory fees for any semester in which the person receives a tuition exemption.

 

SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective to the 2008-2009 school year.

 

SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.