81R10417 KSD-D
By: Coleman H.B. No. 2955
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the rates of tuition charged to students of public
institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 54.051(c), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) Unless a different rate is specified by this section,
tuition for a resident student at a general academic teaching
institution is $64 [$50] per semester credit hour.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.0512 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.0512. INTERIM TUITION RATES. (a) Notwithstanding
Section 54.051, tuition for the applicable academic year described
by this section is as provided by this section.
(b) Tuition for a resident student at a general academic
teaching institution for whom the rate of tuition would, in the
absence of this section, be the rate provided by Section 54.051(c)
is:
(1) for the 2009-2010 academic year, $54 per semester
credit hour;
(2) for the 2010-2011 academic year, $56 per semester
credit hour;
(3) for the 2011-2012 academic year, $58 per semester
credit hour;
(4) for the 2012-2013 academic year, $60 per semester
credit hour;
(5) for the 2013-2014 academic year, $62 per semester
credit hour; and
(6) for the 2014-2015 academic year, $64 per semester
credit hour.
(c) Tuition for academic years not specifically covered by
this section is at the rates provided by Section 54.051.
SECTION 3. Sections 54.0513(a) and (b), Education Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) In addition to amounts that a governing board of an
institution of higher education is authorized to charge as tuition
under the other provisions of this chapter, the governing board[,
under the terms the governing board considers appropriate,] may
charge any student for an academic period an amount designated as
tuition not to exceed the amount charged to the student under
Section 54.051 or 54.0512, as applicable, for that academic period
[that the governing board considers necessary for the effective
operation of the institution].
(b) Subject to the limit provided by Subsection (a) on the
amount designated as tuition charged under this section, a [A]
governing board may set a different tuition rate under this section
for each program and course level offered by each institution of
higher education[. A governing board may set a different tuition
rate] as the governing board considers appropriate to increase
graduation rates, encourage efficient use of facilities, [or]
enhance employee performance, or further another legitimate
purpose of the institution.
SECTION 4. Sections 54.0515(e) and (f), Education Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(e) It is the legislature's intent that each institution of
higher education[, as a condition to tuition deregulation under
Section 54.0513,] reasonably implement the following:
(1) each institution shall make satisfactory progress
towards the goals provided in its master plan for higher education
and in "Closing the Gaps," the state's master plan for higher
education; and
(2) each institution shall meet acceptable
performance criteria, including measures such as graduation rates,
retention rates, enrollment growth, educational quality, efforts
to enhance minority participation, opportunities for financial
aid, and affordability.
(f) The committee shall:
(1) meet at the call of either chair;
(2) monitor and regularly report to the legislature on
each institution of higher education's compliance with the
requirements of Subsection (e); and
(3) receive and review information concerning the
affordability and accessibility of higher education[, including
the impact of tuition deregulation].
SECTION 5. Subchapter B, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
repealed.
SECTION 6. (a) The changes in law made by this Act apply
beginning with tuition charged by an institution of higher
education for the 2009-2010 academic year. Tuition charged by an
institution of higher education in an academic year before that
academic year is covered by the law in effect before the effective
date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
(b) Tuition set aside under Subchapter B, Chapter 56,
Education Code, before the 2009-2010 academic year that was not
used as provided by that subchapter before that academic year shall
be used as provided by that subchapter as it existed immediately
before the effective date of this Act, and that subchapter is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.