83(R) SB 1159 - Enrolled version

The bill amends the Education Code relating to higher education for certain military personnel and their dependents. Under provisions of the bill, if a person was previously offered admission or was enrolled in a graduate or professional program at a general academic institution or medical and dental unit and was unable to attend due to deployment as a member of the armed services, the institution/unit must readmit the person, accept previously submitted standardized test score, and apply credit for prior course work under the program. Based on analysis of information provided by the Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and institutions of higher education, it is assumed that the provisions of the bill can be absorbed within existing resources.

The bill would require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Veterans Commission, to study, review, and make recommendations concerning tuition and fee exemptions provided under Section 54.341 of the Education Code. Institutions of higher education are required to cooperate in both providing and ensuring validity of data relating to the tuition and fee exemptions. The report is due December 1, 2014. It is assumed that any provisions of the bill associated with the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Veterans Commission can be absorbed within existing resources at the agencies.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


May 22, 2013

TO:	Honorable David Dewhurst, Lieutenant Governor, Senate

FROM:	Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB1159 by Van de Putte (Relating to higher education for certain military personnel and their dependents.), As Passed 2nd House