HBA-LJP H.B. 459 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 459
By: Carter
Higher Education
7/3/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, children of deceased or disabled police
officers or volunteer firefighters were eligible receive an exemption from
tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education, but prior to
the 77th Legislature these children were only eligible for exemption for
eight consecutive semesters, not including summer sessions.  House Bill 459
changes this amount to 120 hours and makes other modifications to give
students more flexibility in accessing the exemptions. 

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 459 amends the Education Code to provide that a person eligible
for an exemption from tuition and fees as a child of a disabled firefighter
or peace officer may only receive the exemption for the first 120 hours of
undergraduate credit hours for which the person registers, rather than
eight consecutive semesters and excluding summer semesters.  The person is
not entitled to the exemption if the person does not apply for the
exemption before the date the person becomes 21 years of age, or 22 years
of age if the person is eligible to participate in a school district's
special education program.  An eligible person is not entitled to the
exemption for a semester or term that begins on or after the date the
person becomes 26 years of age. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 11, 2001.  The Act applies beginning with the fall semester 2001.