H.B. No. 3578 AN ACT relating to clarification of the authorized uses for loans under public institution of higher education emergency loan programs. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter D, Chapter 56, Education Code, is amended to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER D. EMERGENCY TUITION, FEE, AND TEXTBOOK [FEES] LOANS SECTION 2. Section 56.053(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The governing board of each institution shall adopt rules providing for the terms of the loan, subject to the following: (1) the loan must be repaid over a period not to exceed 90 days for a loan made for a regular semester or long summer session or over a proportionately shorter period for loans made for a six-week summer session; (2) the loan must be evidenced by a written or electronic agreement providing for one of the following: (A) interest on the loan at a rate of not more than five percent per year; or (B) an origination fee of not more than 1.25 percent of the amount of the loan; and (3) the loan amount per student may not exceed an amount equal to the tuition, [and] mandatory fees, and cost of textbooks for the courses in which the student is actually enrolling. 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, 2011. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 3578 was passed by the House on May 13, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 3578 was passed by the Senate on May 24, 2011, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0 . ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor