HBA-JLV, SEP H.B. 172 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 172 By: Lewis, Glenn Higher Education 3/5/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under current law, persons seeking to become licensed peace officers must have a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) and successfully complete a licensing course as required by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. Additional education may allow a peace officer to serve the public more effectively. House Bill 172 exempts peace officers enrolled in a degree or certificate program in criminal justice at an institution of higher education from tuition and fees for a course required by the degree or program. 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 172 amends the Education Code to authorize the governing board of an institution of higher education to exempt a person who is employed as a peace officer and is enrolled in a criminal justice degree or certificate program at the institution from the payment of tuition and fees for enrollment in a course that satisfies a requirement for the program. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.