By: Ellis, Williams S.B. No. 2277
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to authorizing certain entities in the legislative branch
  to provide student loan repayment assistance to employees who are
  attorneys.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 56, Education Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter G to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER G. REPAYMENT OF EDUCATION LOANS FOR ATTORNEYS EMPLOYED
  BY CERTAIN AGENCIES AND ENTITIES IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
         Sec. 56.101.  REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED. (a)  Either
  house of the legislature or a state agency in the legislative branch
  of state government that by statute provides services to the
  legislature that include assisting in the drafting of proposed
  legislation may provide, in accordance with this subchapter,
  assistance in the repayment of education loans for attorneys who
  are employed by the legislative house or agency and who apply and
  qualify for the assistance.
         (b)  The provision of financial assistance in the repayment
  of education loans under this subchapter promotes a public purpose.
         Sec. 56.102.  ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible to receive
  repayment assistance under this subchapter, an attorney must:
               (1)  apply to the entity that employs the attorney;
               (2)  have been employed by the entity for a period that
  includes at least one entire regular session of the legislature;
  and
               (3)  be employed by the entity when the attorney
  applies for the assistance.
         Sec. 56.103.  AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE. The entity
  that employs the attorney shall determine the amount of repayment
  assistance an attorney may receive under this subchapter as the
  entity considers appropriate to recruit and retain qualified
  attorneys.
         Sec. 56.104.  ELIGIBLE LOANS. (a)  The entity that employs
  the attorney may provide repayment assistance for the repayment of
  any education loan received by the attorney through any lender,
  other than a private individual, for:
               (1)  education at a school of law that satisfies the law
  study requirements for licensure as an attorney in this state; or
               (2)  undergraduate education at an institution of
  higher education or an accredited private or independent
  institution of higher education.
         (b)  The employing entity may not provide repayment
  assistance for an education loan that is in default at the time of
  the attorney's application.
         Sec. 56.105.  FORM OF REPAYMENT. (a)  The entity that
  employs the attorney shall provide repayment assistance under this
  subchapter through payment:
               (1)  made payable to both the attorney and the lender or
  other holder of the affected loan; or
               (2)  delivered directly to the lender or other holder
  of the loan on the attorney's behalf.
         (b)  Repayment assistance received under this subchapter may
  be applied to the principal amount of the loan and to interest that
  accrues.
         Sec. 56.106.  ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE TO EMPLOYING ENTITY. An
  entity that provides repayment assistance under this subchapter may
  request the assistance of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
  Board, the State Bar of Texas, or the office of the attorney general
  in administering this subchapter.
         Sec. 56.107.  POLICIES. (a)  An entity that provides
  repayment assistance under this subchapter may develop policies for
  the administration of this subchapter that are consistent with the
  rules and statutes governing the entity.
         (b)  The entity may distribute a copy of the policies adopted
  under this section and pertinent information regarding this
  subchapter to:
               (1)  schools of law;
               (2)  any appropriate state agency; and
               (3)  any appropriate professional association.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.