Texas House Bill HB4169

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the administration and use of public or private funds designated for college scholarships.

Impact

The provisions of HB 4169 highlight the requirement for public entities and private nonprofit organizations that manage scholarship funds to allocate their earnings for educational purposes. The bill stipulates that a certain portion of earnings, as calculated by the state's comptroller, must be retained annually. Furthermore, it enforces accountability measures by requiring that funds be solely used for educational costs and mandates the reallocation of unspent scholarship awards within a year, which ensures that the financial aid remains effective and beneficial for students.

Summary

House Bill 4169 aims to provide a structured framework for the administration and use of both public and private funds designated for college scholarships in Texas. The bill introduces amendments to the Education Code, specifically Section 56.005, which includes definitions of 'scholarship funds' and 'public entity' or 'private nonprofit organization.' This legislative proposal emphasizes the importance of managing scholarship funds efficiently and ensuring that the funds directly assist students in paying for their higher education costs, including tuition, fees, and related expenses.

Contention

A notable point of contention in the discussions surrounding HB 4169 is the provision that prohibits awarding scholarship funds to individuals unauthorized to be present in the United States. This provision raises concerns regarding access to financial aid for undocumented students, potentially limiting their opportunities for education. Addressing this issue could lead to debates about the inclusivity of educational funding and the responsibilities of educational institutions in providing equal access to all students, regardless of their immigration status.