HBA-JLV, CBW H.B. 140 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 140
By: Wise
Higher Education
2/2/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the governing board of each institution of higher
education exempts veterans from the payment of many dues, fees, and charges
associated with their education.  While these exemptions include many of
the basic costs of attending college, they do not include the cost of
required textbooks and other related course materials.  House Bill 140
requires institutions of higher education to establish a financial aid
program that would reimburse veterans for the cost of required textbooks
and similar required course materials.  


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 


ANALYSIS

House Bill 140 amends the Education Code to require each  institution of
higher education to 
establish a program that reimburses students who receive a tuition
exemption as a veteran or a 
veteran's dependent for the cost of required textbooks and course
materials.  To receive a 
reimbursement, the bill provides that a student apply for the reimbursement
and provide proof of the expenditures for which reimbursement is sought.
The bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to include
funding for the program in its funding formulas. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

On  passage and applies beginning with the 2001-2002 academic year. If the
Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect  September 1,
2001 and applies beginning with the 2002-2003 academic year.