82R9744 KJM-D

By: Garza H.B. No. 2597

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to resident tuition rates and fees for certain civilian employees and private contractors at public institutions of higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 54.058, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 54.058. MILITARY PERSONNEL, CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AND DEPENDENTS.

SECTION 2. Section 54.058, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (i-1) and amending Subsection (j) to read as follows:

(i-1) A civilian employee of any component of the Armed Forces of the United States or an employee of a private contractor with any such component who is assigned to duty in Texas in connection with that employment as part of the United States Department of Defense base realignment and closure process, and the spouse and dependent children of such a person, are entitled to pay tuition and other fees or charges at the rates provided for Texas residents, without regard to the length of time the person has been assigned to duty or resided in this state.

(j) A member of the Armed Forces of the United States, [or] the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a person described by Subsection (i-1) who is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Texas residents under another provision of this section while enrolled in a degree or certificate program is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Texas residents in any subsequent term or semester while the person is continuously enrolled in the same degree or certificate program. For purposes of this subsection, a person is not required to enroll in a summer term to remain continuously enrolled in a degree or certificate program. The person's eligibility to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Texas residents under this subsection does not terminate because the person is no longer a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, [or] the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or a person described by Subsection (i-1).

SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies beginning with tuition and fees for the 2011 fall semester. Tuition and fees for a term or semester before the 2011 fall semester are covered by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 4. 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.