HBA-MPM, H.B. 2127 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2127
By: Solis, Jim
Higher Education
3/17/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law exempts children of disabled firemen or peace officers from
paying tuition at a state institution of higher education.  H.B. 2127 also
exempts the children of Emergency Medical Services personnel who are killed
in the line of duty from paying tuition at a state institution of  higher
education. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board in SECTION 1 (Section 54.2042, Education Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding
Section 54.2042, as follows: 

Sec. 54.2042.  CHILDREN OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL KILLED ON
DUTY.  (a)  Assigns the terms "emergency medical services," "emergency
medical services personnel," and "emergency medical services provider" with
the meanings assigned under 773.003 (Definitions), Health and Safety Code. 

(b)  Exempts a person from payment of tuition and required fees at an
institution of higher education if the person: 

_is 25 years of age or younger;
_is a Texas resident entitled to pay tuition at the rate provided for
residents; 
_is enrolled as an undergraduate student; and
_is the child of a person who was killed or died as the direct result of
injuries sustained while providing emergency medical services (EMS) for an
EMS provider licensed under Chapter 773 (Emergency Medical Services),
Health and Safety Code, when the person was certified as EMS personnel. 

(c)  Prohibits a person from receiving an exemption under this section for
more than 150 semester hours. 

(d) Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to adopt rules
for the administration of this section. 

SECTION 2.  Makes this Act applicable with tuition and fees charged for the
1999 fall semester. 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.