82R3724 KSD-D
 
  By: White H.B. No. 459
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to temporary limitations on the total amount of tuition
  charged to a student by a four-year public institution of higher
  education.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 54.0514 to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.0514.  TEMPORARY LIMITATION ON TOTAL AMOUNT OF
  TUITION. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "General academic teaching institution" has the
  meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
               (2)  "Tuition" includes:
                     (A)  tuition for which the rates are prescribed by
  this chapter; and
                     (B)  tuition charged by an institution of higher
  education under Section 54.0513 or another law authorizing an
  institution to establish tuition rates.
         (b)  Notwithstanding Section 54.0513 or another law
  authorizing an institution of higher education to establish tuition
  rates, the total amount of tuition charged by a general academic
  teaching institution to a student for the 2011-2012 or 2012-2013
  academic year may not exceed the total amount of tuition that the
  institution would have charged under this chapter to a similarly
  situated student for the 2010-2011 academic year.
         (c)  For purposes of this section, students are similarly
  situated if they share the same residency status, degree program,
  course load, course level, tuition exemption status, and other
  circumstances affecting the tuition charged to the student.
         (d)  This section does not ensure that the total amount of
  tuition charged to an individual student does not increase based on
  a change in the student's residency status, degree program, course
  load, course level, tuition exemption status, or other circumstance
  affecting the tuition charged to the student.
         (e)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt
  rules as necessary to administer this section.
         (f)  This section expires August 31, 2013.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.