82R9744 KJM-D
By: Garza H.B. No. 2597
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to resident tuition rates and fees for certain civilian
employees and private contractors at public institutions of higher
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 54.058, Education Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 54.058. MILITARY PERSONNEL, CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES,
CONTRACTORS, AND DEPENDENTS.
SECTION 2. Section 54.058, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (i-1) and amending Subsection (j) to read as
follows:
(i-1) A civilian employee of any component of the Armed
Forces of the United States or an employee of a private contractor
with any such component who is assigned to duty in Texas in
connection with that employment as part of the United States
Department of Defense base realignment and closure process, and the
spouse and dependent children of such a person, are entitled to pay
tuition and other fees or charges at the rates provided for Texas
residents, without regard to the length of time the person has been
assigned to duty or resided in this state.
(j) A member of the Armed Forces of the United States, [or]
the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United
States, or a person described by Subsection (i-1) who is entitled to
pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Texas residents under
another provision of this section while enrolled in a degree or
certificate program is entitled to pay tuition and fees at the rate
provided for Texas residents in any subsequent term or semester
while the person is continuously enrolled in the same degree or
certificate program. For purposes of this subsection, a person is
not required to enroll in a summer term to remain continuously
enrolled in a degree or certificate program. The person's
eligibility to pay tuition and fees at the rate provided for Texas
residents under this subsection does not terminate because the
person is no longer a member of the Armed Forces of the United
States, [or] the child or spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of
the United States, or a person described by Subsection (i-1).
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies
beginning with tuition and fees for the 2011 fall semester. Tuition
and fees for a term or semester before the 2011 fall semester are
covered by the law in effect immediately before the effective date
of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
SECTION 4. 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, 2011.