83R31794 JRJ-D

By: Van de Putte S.R. No. 1079

R E S O L U T I O N

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, That Senate Rule 12.03 be suspended in part as provided by Senate Rule 12.08 to enable the conference committee appointed to resolve the differences on Senate Bill 1158 (relating to higher education for veterans and their families) to consider and take action on the following matters:

(1) Senate Rule 12.03(4) is suspended to permit the committee to add text on matters which are not included in either the house or senate version of the bill in SECTION 1 of the bill by amending Sections 54.341(d), (h), and (l), Education Code, to read as follows:

(d) The governing board of each institution of higher education granting an exemption under this section shall require each applicant claiming the exemption to submit to the institution, in the form and manner prescribed by the Texas Veterans Commission for purposes of this section under Section 434.0079(b), Government Code, an application for the exemption and necessary [satisfactory] evidence that the applicant qualifies for the exemption not later than the last class date of the semester or term to which the exemption applies, except that the governing board may encourage the submission of an application and evidence by the official day of record for the semester or term to which the exemption applies on which the institution must determine the enrollment that is reported to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board [one year after the earlier of the date the institution:

[(1) provides written notice to the applicant of the applicant's eligibility for the exemption; or

[(2) receives a written acknowledgement from the applicant evidencing the applicant's awareness of the applicant's eligibility for the exemption].

(h) The governing board of each institution of higher education shall electronically report to the Texas Veterans Commission [Higher Education Coordinating Board] the information required by Section 434.00791, Government Code, [61.0516] relating to each individual receiving an exemption from fees and charges under Subsection (a), (a-2), [or] (b), or (k). The institution shall report the information not later than January 31 [December 31] of each year for the fall semester, June 30 [May 31] of each year for the spring semester, and September 30 of each year for the summer session.

(l) To be eligible to receive an exemption under Subsection (k), the child must:

(1) be a student who is classified as a resident under Subchapter B when the child enrolls in an institution of higher education; [and]

(2) as a graduate or undergraduate student, maintain a grade point average that satisfies the grade point average requirement for making [make] satisfactory academic progress in a degree, certificate, or continuing education program as determined by the institution at which the child is enrolled in accordance with the institution's policy regarding eligibility for [of the institution's] financial aid; and

(3) be 25 years of age or younger on the first day of the semester or other academic term for which the exemption is claimed [department, except that the institution may not require the child to enroll in a minimum course load].

Explanation: These changes are necessary to clarify the reporting and eligibility requirements for certain tuition exemptions awarded to veterans and their families.

(2) Senate Rule 12.03(4) is suspended to permit the committee to add text on a matter which is not included in either the house or senate version of the bill in SECTION 2 of the bill by adding Section 54.3411(e), Education Code, to read as follows:

(e) The amount available for distribution from the fund may be appropriated only to offset the cost to institutions of higher education of the exemptions required by Section 54.341(k). The amount appropriated shall be distributed to eligible institutions in proportion to each institution's respective share of the aggregate cost to all institutions of the exemptions required by Section 54.341(k), as determined by the Legislative Budget Board. The amount appropriated shall be distributed annually to each eligible institution of higher education.

Explanation: This change is necessary to clarify the distribution of funds for certain tuition exemptions awarded to children of veterans.

(3) Senate Rule 12.03(4) is suspended to permit the committee to add text on a matter which is not included in either the house or senate version of the bill in SECTION 3 of the bill by adding Section 434.0079(c), Government Code, to read as follows:

(c) The commission shall adopt rules governing the coordination of federal and state benefits of a person eligible to receive an exemption under Section 54.341(k), Education Code, including rules governing:

(1) the total number of credit hours assigned under that section that a person may apply to an individual degree or certificate program, consistent with the standards of the appropriate recognized regional accrediting agency; and

(2) the application of the assigned exemption to credit hours for which the institution of higher education does not receive state funding.

Explanation: This change is necessary to require rules to be adopted for the administration of certain tuition exemptions awarded to veterans and their families.