| TO: | Honorable Judith Zaffirini, Chair, Senate Committee on S/C on Higher Education |
| FROM: | John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB1187 by Morrison (Relating to vouchers for tuition and required fees at certain institutions of higher education for students who sound "Taps" at a veteran's funeral.), As Engrossed |
The bill would amend the Government Code to require the Veterans Commission to establish a program related to the issuance of $25 vouchers to certain students who sound "Taps" during military honors funerals for deceased veterans. The vouchers could be used to offset tuition and required fees at an institution of higher education. The bill would require the Commission to design the voucher form and distribute it at no cost to each funeral director in the state for issuance to eligible students.
The bill would also amend Education Code to allow a school district to excuse a student who participates in the program without penalty for the absence and to require institutions of higher education to provide a $25 exemption from payment of tuition and required fees to students with program vouchers.
It is anticipated that any costs to implement the provisions of the bill could be absorbed by existing resources.
| Source Agencies: | 403 Veterans Commission, 513 Funeral Service Commission, 701 Central Education Agency, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 758 Texas State University System, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board, 783 University of Houston System Administration
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| LBB Staff: | JOB, MN, MS, EP
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