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.