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.