Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas House Bill HB50

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to information required to establish resident status in connection with tuition and fees charged by public institutions of higher education.

Impact

The enactment of HB 50 would influence state laws related to student residency classifications, specifically reinforcing the requirement for students to provide documentation demonstrating their authorized status in the United States. This change means that non-citizens without legal status would be barred from qualifying for in-state tuition rates. Public institutions would be mandated to adopt rules to verify this status under the guidelines set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, further embedding legal residency requirements into the admissions process.

Summary

House Bill 50 aims to amend the Texas Education Code by clarifying the criteria required to establish resident status for students attending public institutions of higher education. The bill specifies that individuals who are not authorized to be present in the United States cannot be classified as residents for the purposes of tuition and fees. This shift emphasizes the connection between residency and legal presence in the country, impacting how tuition is assessed for students based on their immigration status.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding HB 50 relates to its implications for undocumented students and access to higher education. Proponents argue that it upholds the integrity of the state's residency definitions and ensures that taxpayer-funded benefits are available only to those legally residing in Texas. However, opponents voice concerns that this law could exacerbate the barriers faced by undocumented students seeking higher education, potentially limiting their opportunities and contributing to broader educational inequities.

Companion Bills

TX SB850

Identical Relating to information required to establish resident status in connection with tuition and fees charged by public institutions of higher education.

Previously Filed As

TX SB2449

Relating to the determination of resident status of certain high school graduates by public institutions of higher education and to the tuition and fees charged by those institutions to those graduates.

TX HB3280

Relating to the enrollment, including resident status and tuition rates, of certain persons, including persons not authorized to be present in the United States, in public institutions of higher education.

TX HB164

Relating to the enrollment, including resident status and tuition rates, of certain persons, including persons not authorized to be present in the United States, in public institutions of higher education.

TX HB1117

Relating to the determination of resident status of students by public institutions of higher education.

TX HB859

Relating to the determination of resident status of students by public institutions of higher education.

TX HB4736

Relating to the enrollment, including admission and resident status, of certain persons by public institutions of higher education.

TX SB548

Relating to a limitation on the amount of tuition charged by public institutions of higher education.

TX SB2077

Relating to the establishment of the Building Better Futures Program to support educational and occupational skills training opportunities and support services for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at public and private institutions of higher education.

TX HB4363

Relating to the establishment of the Future Texas Teachers Scholarship Program for certain students at public institutions of higher education.

TX HB683

Relating to the exemption of tuition and laboratory fees at public institutions of higher education for certain paramedics.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.