By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 46
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to tuition exemptions at public institutions of higher
education for certain students who volunteer for outreach programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.223 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.223. STUDENTS VOLUNTEERING FOR OUTREACH PROGRAMS.
(a) The governing board of an institution of higher education may
exempt from the payment of tuition and fees for one course offered
by the institution per semester or other term any student enrolled
in the institution who:
(1) is 55 years of age or older;
(2) is a resident of this state for purposes of this
title or entitled to pay tuition at the rate provided by this
chapter for residents of this state; and
(3) serves as a volunteer for at least 10 hours per
week or 40 hours per month for an outreach, mentoring, or
recruitment program that is designed to assist or encourage:
(A) persons to be admitted to and attend
institutions of higher education;
(B) students who are currently enrolled in
institutions of higher education to complete their degree programs;
or
(C) students who are enrolled in developmental
coursework to successfully complete that coursework.
(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall
adopt rules necessary for the administration of this section.
SECTION 2. (a) Section 54.223, Education Code, as added by
this Act, applies beginning with the 2010 spring semester.
(b) Not later than December 1, 2009, the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board shall adopt the initial rules required
by Section 54.223, Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. 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.