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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to authorizing certain entities in the legislative branch |
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to provide student loan repayment assistance to employees who are |
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attorneys. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 56, Education Code, is amended by adding |
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Subchapter G to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER G. REPAYMENT OF EDUCATION LOANS FOR ATTORNEYS EMPLOYED |
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BY CERTAIN AGENCIES AND ENTITIES IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH |
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Sec. 56.101. REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED. (a) Either |
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house of the legislature or a state agency in the legislative branch |
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of state government that by statute provides services to the |
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legislature that include assisting in the drafting of proposed |
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legislation may provide, in accordance with this subchapter, |
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assistance in the repayment of education loans for attorneys who |
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are employed by the legislative house or agency and who apply and |
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qualify for the assistance. |
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(b) The provision of financial assistance in the repayment |
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of education loans under this subchapter promotes a public purpose. |
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Sec. 56.102. ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible to receive |
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repayment assistance under this subchapter, an attorney must: |
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(1) apply to the entity that employs the attorney; |
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(2) have been employed by the entity for a period that |
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includes at least one entire regular session of the legislature; |
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and |
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(3) be employed by the entity when the attorney |
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applies for the assistance. |
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Sec. 56.103. AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE. The entity |
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that employs the attorney shall determine the amount of repayment |
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assistance an attorney may receive under this subchapter as the |
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entity considers appropriate to recruit and retain qualified |
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attorneys. |
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Sec. 56.104. ELIGIBLE LOANS. (a) The entity that employs |
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the attorney may provide repayment assistance for the repayment of |
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any education loan received by the attorney through any lender, |
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other than a private individual, for: |
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(1) education at a school of law that satisfies the law |
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study requirements for licensure as an attorney in this state; or |
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(2) undergraduate education at an institution of |
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higher education or an accredited private or independent |
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institution of higher education. |
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(b) The employing entity may not provide repayment |
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assistance for an education loan that is in default at the time of |
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the attorney's application. |
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Sec. 56.105. FORM OF REPAYMENT. (a) The entity that |
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employs the attorney shall provide repayment assistance under this |
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subchapter through payment: |
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(1) made payable to both the attorney and the lender or |
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other holder of the affected loan; or |
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(2) delivered directly to the lender or other holder |
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of the loan on the attorney's behalf. |
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(b) Repayment assistance received under this subchapter may |
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be applied to the principal amount of the loan and to interest that |
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accrues. |
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Sec. 56.106. ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYING ENTITY. An |
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entity that provides repayment assistance under this subchapter may |
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request the assistance of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating |
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Board, the State Bar of Texas, or the office of the attorney general |
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in administering this subchapter. |
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Sec. 56.107. POLICIES. (a) An entity that provides |
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repayment assistance under this subchapter may develop policies for |
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the administration of this subchapter that are consistent with the |
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rules and statutes governing the entity. |
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(b) The entity may distribute a copy of the policies adopted |
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under this section and pertinent information regarding this |
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subchapter to: |
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(1) schools of law; |
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(2) any appropriate state agency; and |
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(3) any appropriate professional association. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |