83R2068 JRJ-D By: Turner of Harris H.B. No. 3375 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to authorizing a public junior college district to exempt from the payment of tuition and fees certain students enrolled concurrently in certain training programs and adult education courses. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 130, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 130.0901 to read as follows: Sec. 130.0901. EXEMPTION FROM TUITION AND FEES FOR CERTAIN ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAM STUDENTS. (a) The governing board of a junior college district may exempt from the payment of all or a part of the tuition and fees charged by the junior college district a student who: (1) is enrolled in a training program offered by the junior college district leading to a degree or industry certification in a high-skill and high-growth occupation as identified by the applicable local workforce development board; (2) at the time the student enters the training program, has not obtained a high school diploma or its equivalent; (3) is enrolled in a contextualized adult education course under Subchapter H, Chapter 29, that provides training related to the training program and is simultaneously operated by or affiliated by agreement with the junior college district; (4) remains continuously enrolled in and regularly meets the established proficiency criteria for the training program and the adult education course described by Subdivision (3); (5) maintains acceptable overall performance and attendance as determined by the governing board for purposes of this section; and (6) is eligible for legal employment in the United States. (b) The governing board of a junior college district may not exempt a student from the payment of tuition and fees under this section: (1) for more than 18 semester credit hours or the equivalent; (2) after the first anniversary of the date of the student's entry into the training program; or (3) after the student's completion of or withdrawal from the training program. (c) The grant of an exemption from tuition and fees under Subsection (a) does not affect the right of a junior college to a proportionate share of state appropriations under Section 130.003 attributable to the contact hours of the junior college with the student receiving the exemption. SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year. 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, 2013.