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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to authorizing certain state agencies to provide student |
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loan repayment assistance to 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 BY |
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AGENCIES THAT ASSIST THE LEGISLATURE |
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Sec. 56.101. REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED. (a) A state |
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agency that by statute provides services to the legislature that |
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include assisting in the drafting of proposed legislation may |
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provide, in accordance with this subchapter, assistance in the |
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repayment of education loans for attorneys employed by the agency |
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who apply and 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 agency; |
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(2) have been employed by the agency 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 agency when the attorney |
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applies for the assistance. |
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Sec. 56.103. AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE. The agency |
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shall determine the amount of repayment assistance an attorney may |
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receive under this subchapter as the agency considers appropriate |
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to recruit and retain qualified attorneys. |
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Sec. 56.104. ELIGIBLE LOANS. (a) The agency may provide |
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repayment assistance for the repayment of any education loan |
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received by the attorney through any lender, other than a private |
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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 agency may not provide repayment assistance for an |
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education loan that is in default at the time of the attorney's |
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application. |
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Sec. 56.105. REPAYMENT. (a) The agency shall make |
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repayment assistance under this subchapter payable to both the |
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lender and the attorney and in accordance with any applicable |
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federal law. |
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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 AGENCY. The agency |
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may request the assistance of the Texas Higher Education |
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Coordinating Board, the State Bar of Texas, or the office of the |
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attorney general in administering this subchapter. |
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Sec. 56.107. POLICIES. (a) The agency may develop policies |
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for the administration of this subchapter that are consistent with |
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the rules and statutes governing the agency. |
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(b) The agency 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. |