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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to tuition exemptions at public institutions of higher |
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education for students enrolled in certain interinstitutional |
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academic programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 54.224 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 54.224. DEFINITIONS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Interinstitutional academic program" means a |
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program under which a student may, in accordance with a written |
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agreement between an institution of higher education and one or |
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more other institutions of higher education or private or |
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independent institutions of higher education, take courses at each |
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institution that is a party to the agreement as necessary to fulfill |
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the program's degree or certificate requirements. |
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(2) "Private or independent institution of higher |
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education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, |
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the governing board of an institution of higher education may |
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exempt from the payment of tuition and required fees authorized by |
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this chapter a student who is taking a course, including an |
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interdisciplinary course, at the institution under an |
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interinstitutional academic program agreement but who is enrolled |
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primarily at another institution of higher education or at a |
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private or independent institution of higher education that is a |
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party to the agreement and to which the student is responsible for |
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the payment of tuition and fees. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |