HBA-KMH S.B. 1902 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1902
By: Lucio
Higher Education
5/14/1999
Engrossed


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, Texas does not provide educational financial assistance for its
citizens who are former prisoners of war.  S.B. 1902 creates payment
exemptions and scholarships for certain former prisoners of war from Texas
who attend a public college or university. 

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. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Provides that this Act may be cited as the Steven
Gonzales-Prisoner of War Higher Education Act. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding
Section 54.219, as follows: 

Sec.  54.219.  PRISONERS OF WAR.  Describes "tuition and required fees."
Requires the governing body of each institution of higher education
(institution) to exempt an individual who is a resident of Texas, was first
classified as a prisoner of war by the United States Department of Defense
on or after January 1, 1999, and is enrolled for at least 12 semester
credit hours from required tuition payments for a maximum of 120 credit
hours.  Requires the institution to exempt the individual for each term the
individual receives the fees exemption under this section from the payment
for campus lodging and board fees if  the individual resides on the campus
of the institution.  Requires the institution of higher education to
provide a reasonable stipend to cover the off-campus lodging and board
costs of the individual each term the individual receives the fees
exemption under this section. Requires the institution to award a
scholarship to pay for required course work supplies for the individual
each term the individual receives the fees exemption under this section.
Authorizes an institution of higher education to use any available revenue
to accomplish the purposes of this section and to solicit and accept gifts,
grants, and donations.  Requires the institution to use the gifts, grants,
and donations before using any other revenue to accomplish the purposes of
this section. 

SECTION 3.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1999 fall
semester. 

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.