BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1798 By: Zaffirini Higher Education 10/8/2009 Enrolled AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Current law authorizes tuition and fee exemptions for certain educational aides enrolled in higher education courses for teacher certification. However, there is disagreement between institutions of higher education (IHE) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) regarding exemption applications. First, an exemption application must be initiated by the educational aide's employing school district, which then forwards it to the IHE at which the aide is enrolled. Subsequently, the IHE completes a portion of the form and then forwards it to THECB. THECB must then determine eligibility and advise the IHE and school district about eligibility. The IHE must then respond to THECB with a recommended award amount before THECB can offer reimbursement. S.B. 1798 amends current law relating to certifying the eligibility of certain educational aides to receive an exemption from tuition and fees charged by public institutions of higher education. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.214(d), Education Code, as follows: (d) Requires the institution of higher education at which a person seeking an exemption under this section is enrolled to certify the person's eligibility to receive the exemption, rather than the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to certify a person's eligibility to receive an exemption under this section. Requires the institution, as soon as practicable after receiving an application for certification, to make the determination of eligibility and give notice of its determination to the applicant and to the school district employing the applicant as an educational aide, rather than the institution of higher education at which the applicant is enrolled and the school district employing the person as an educational aide. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 54.214, Education Code, applies to an exemption from tuition and fees granted under that section beginning with the 2009 fall semester. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1798
By: Zaffirini
Higher Education
10/8/2009
Enrolled
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law authorizes tuition and fee exemptions for certain educational aides enrolled in higher education courses for teacher certification. However, there is disagreement between institutions of higher education (IHE) and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) regarding exemption applications. First, an exemption application must be initiated by the educational aide's employing school district, which then forwards it to the IHE at which the aide is enrolled. Subsequently, the IHE completes a portion of the form and then forwards it to THECB. THECB must then determine eligibility and advise the IHE and school district about eligibility. The IHE must then respond to THECB with a recommended award amount before THECB can offer reimbursement.
S.B. 1798 amends current law relating to certifying the eligibility of certain educational aides to receive an exemption from tuition and fees charged by public institutions of higher education.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.214(d), Education Code, as follows:
(d) Requires the institution of higher education at which a person seeking an exemption under this section is enrolled to certify the person's eligibility to receive the exemption, rather than the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to certify a person's eligibility to receive an exemption under this section. Requires the institution, as soon as practicable after receiving an application for certification, to make the determination of eligibility and give notice of its determination to the applicant and to the school district employing the applicant as an educational aide, rather than the institution of higher education at which the applicant is enrolled and the school district employing the person as an educational aide. Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 2. Provides that the change in law made by this Act to Section 54.214, Education Code, applies to an exemption from tuition and fees granted under that section beginning with the 2009 fall semester.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.