BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 52 83R604 KJM-D By: Zaffirini Higher Education 3/11/2013 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 52
83R604 KJM-D By: Zaffirini
Higher Education
3/11/2013
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 52
83R604 KJM-D
By: Zaffirini
Higher Education
3/11/2013
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Current Texas law provides for an optional tuition exemption for peace officers disabled in the line of duty; however, it provides for a mandatory exemption for employed peace officers and for the children of peace officers with disabilities. This bill increases consistency and fairness by changing the exemption from optional to mandatory. As proposed, S.B. 52 amends current law relating to exemptions for disabled peace officers from payment of tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Section 54.352, Education Code, to read as follows: Sec. 54.352. DISABLED PEACE OFFICERS. SECTION 2. Amends Section 54.352(a), Education Code, as follows: (a) Requires, rather than authorizes, the governing board of an institution of higher education to exempt a student from the payment of tuition and fees for a course, rather than tuition and required fees authorized by this chapter for a course, for which space is available if the student is a disabled peace officer meeting certain criteria. SECTION 3. Provides that the changes in law made by this Act apply to an exemption from tuition and fees beginning with the 2013 fall semester. SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current Texas law provides for an optional tuition exemption for peace officers disabled in the line of duty; however, it provides for a mandatory exemption for employed peace officers and for the children of peace officers with disabilities. This bill increases consistency and fairness by changing the exemption from optional to mandatory.
As proposed, S.B. 52 amends current law relating to exemptions for disabled peace officers from payment of tuition and fees at public institutions of higher education.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Section 54.352, Education Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 54.352. DISABLED PEACE OFFICERS.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 54.352(a), Education Code, as follows:
(a) Requires, rather than authorizes, the governing board of an institution of higher education to exempt a student from the payment of tuition and fees for a course, rather than tuition and required fees authorized by this chapter for a course, for which space is available if the student is a disabled peace officer meeting certain criteria.
SECTION 3. Provides that the changes in law made by this Act apply to an exemption from tuition and fees beginning with the 2013 fall semester.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.