BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1798
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law authorizes tuition and fee exemptions for certain educational aides enrolled in higher education courses for teacher certification. However, there is disagreement between institutions of higher education (IHE) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) regarding exemption applications. First, an exemption application must be initiated by the educational aide's employing school district, which then forwards it to the IHE at which the aide is enrolled. Subsequently, the IHE completes a portion of the form and then forwards it to THECB. THECB must then determine eligibility and advise the IHE and school district about eligibility. The IHE must then respond to THECB with a recommended award amount before THECB can offer reimbursement.
As proposed, S.B. 1798 requires the institution of higher education at which an educational aide seeking an exemption is enrolled to certify the person's eligibility. This bill also requires the institution to make the determination of eligibility and give notice of its determination to the applicant and to the school district employing the applicant as an educational aide.
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 54.214(d), Education Code, as follows:
(d) Requires the institution of higher education at which a person seeking an exemption under this section is enrolled to certify the person's eligibility to receive the exemption, rather than the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to certify a person's eligibility to receive an exemption under this section. Requires the institution, as soon as practicable after receiving an application for certification, to make the determination of eligibility and give notice of its determination to the applicant and to the school district employing the applicant as an educational aide, rather than the institution of higher education at which the applicant is enrolled and the school district employing the person as an education aide. Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 2. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 54.214, Education Code, applies to an exemption from tuition and fees granted under that section beginning with the 2009 fall semester.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage, or September 1, 2009.