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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 certain students who volunteer for outreach 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 54.223 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 54.223. STUDENTS VOLUNTEERING FOR OUTREACH PROGRAMS. |
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(a) The governing board of an institution of higher education may |
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exempt from the payment of tuition and fees for one course offered |
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by the institution per semester or other term any student enrolled |
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in the institution who: |
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(1) is 55 years of age or older; |
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(2) is a resident of this state for purposes of this |
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title or entitled to pay tuition at the rate provided by this |
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chapter for residents of this state; and |
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(3) serves as a volunteer for at least 10 hours per |
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week or 40 hours per month for an outreach, mentoring, or |
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recruitment program that is designed to assist or encourage: |
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(A) high school students to be admitted to and |
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attend institutions of higher education; or |
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(B) students who are currently enrolled in |
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institutions of higher education to complete their degree programs. |
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(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall |
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adopt rules necessary for the administration of this section. |
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SECTION 2. (a) Section 54.223, Education Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies beginning with the 2010 fall semester. |
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(b) Not later than January 1, 2010, the Texas Higher |
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Education Coordinating Board shall adopt the initial rules required |
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by Section 54.223, Education Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. 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. |