By: Shapleigh S.B. No. 324
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the tuition rebate program for certain undergraduate
students at general academic teaching institutions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 54.0065, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (b-1), (b-2), (j),
and (k) to read as follows:
(b) Except as provided by Subsections (b-1) and (b-2), the
[The] amount of tuition to be rebated to a student graduating in an
academic year [under this section] is the amount certified for that
academic year to the governing board of the general academic
teaching institution by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board under this section.
(b-1) The amount of tuition to be rebated to a student is two
times the certified amount if the student satisfies the
requirements of this section in three years or less.
(b-2) If [$1,000, unless] the total amount of undergraduate
tuition paid by the student to the general academic teaching
institution [of higher education] awarding the degree was less than
the full amount of rebate under Subsection (b) or (b-1), as
applicable, [$1,000, in which event] the amount of tuition to be
rebated is an amount equal to the amount of undergraduate tuition
paid by the student to the institution. However, the [a] student
[who paid the institution awarding the degree an amount of
undergraduate tuition less than $1,000] may qualify for an increase
in the amount of the rebate, not to exceed the applicable amount
under Subsection (b) or (b-1) [a total rebate of $1,000], for any
amount of undergraduate tuition the student paid to other
institutions of higher education by providing the institution with
proof of the total amount of that tuition paid to other institutions
of higher education.
(j) Not later than August 15 of each academic year, the
coordinating board shall determine and certify to the governing
board of each general academic teaching institution the amount of
tuition to be rebated by that institution under Subsection (b) to
each student graduating in the next academic year. The amount
certified must equal the rebate amount certified in the preceding
academic year to the general academic teaching institution under
this subsection for rebates awarded under Subsection (b) in the
current academic year, increased by a percentage, expressed in
decimal form rounded to the nearest hundredth, that equals the
percentage by which that institution has increased from the current
academic year to the next academic year the total amount of tuition
charged under Section 54.0513 or another law authorizing the
institution to establish tuition rates.
(k) Notwithstanding Subsection (j), not later than October
31, 2009, the coordinating board shall determine and certify to the
governing board of each general academic teaching institution the
amount of tuition to be rebated by that institution under
Subsection (b) to students graduating in the 2009-2010 academic
year. The amount certified must equal the full amount of a rebate
authorized to be awarded by general academic teaching institutions
under Subsection (b), as that subsection existed on January 1,
2009, during the 2008-2009 academic year, increased by a
percentage, expressed in decimal form rounded to the nearest
hundredth, that equals the percentage by which the institution for
which the certification is made has increased from the 2003-2004
academic year to the 2009-2010 academic year the total amount of
tuition charged under Section 54.0513 or another law authorizing
the institution to establish tuition rates. For purposes of
Subsection (j), the amount certified under this subsection is
considered to have been certified under Subsection (j) on August
15, 2009. This subsection expires January 1, 2011.
SECTION 2. (a) The change in law made by this Act applies
only to a student who is awarded a baccalaureate degree from a
general academic teaching institution on or after September 1,
2009.
(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board may adopt
rules under Section 54.0065, Education Code, as amended by this
Act, for rebates awarded during the 2009-2010 academic year in the
manner provided by law for the adoption of emergency rules.
SECTION 3. This Act does not make an appropriation. This
Act takes effect only if a specific appropriation for the
implementation of the Act is provided in a general appropriations
act of the 81st Legislature.
SECTION 4. Except as provided by Section 3 of this Act, 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, except as provided by Section 3 of this Act.