Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas House Bill HB557

Caption

Relating to the establishment of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship Program for certain students at public institutions of higher education.

Impact

The implementation of HB557 would amend Chapter 61 of the Texas Education Code, introducing a structured scholarship program that enforces specific eligibility criteria. To qualify for the scholarship, students must be Texas residents, maintain enrollment in a STEM program, and meet academic performance standards. The establishment of this scholarship aims to incentivize students to pursue degrees in high-demand fields, thereby enhancing the state's educational landscape and addressing workforce challenges in technology and engineering sectors.

Summary

House Bill 557 proposes the establishment of a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship Program aimed at supporting eligible students enrolled in STEM programs at public institutions of higher education in Texas. The program is designed to enhance educational opportunities in these fields, which are critical for the state's economic development and workforce needs. By allocating resources to this initiative, the bill seeks to promote engagement and academic success in STEM disciplines among Texas residents, ultimately contributing to a more skilled workforce.

Contention

One notable point of contention regarding HB557 is its dependency on a constitutional amendment proposed during the 87th Legislature, which would reduce the allocation to the economic stabilization fund in favor of funding for STEM scholarships. This raises concerns about the sustainability and impact on other budgetary allocations within the state. The requirement of voter approval for the funding amendment adds another layer of complexity and uncertainty regarding the bill’s future effectiveness and implementation timelines.

Latest HB557 Activity

Companion Bills

TX HJR27

Enabling for Proposing a constitutional amendment to reduce the allocation of certain general revenue to the economic stabilization fund and to use that revenue for certain science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) scholarships.

Similar Bills

UT SB0107

Education Scholarship Amendments

CA AB2480

Income taxes: credit: Scholarship Tax Credit Program Act.

AL HB442

To create the Alabama Fits All Scholarship Program; require the State Board of Education to contract with a program manager to administer the program; to authorize the program manager to establish scholarship accounts on behalf of eligible students; to prohibit a program manager from accepting scholarship funds in certain circumstances; to require fiscal safeguards and accountability measures; to require eligible schools and service providers to meet certain standards to be eligible to receive scholarship funds; to authorize the program manager to distribute scholarship funds; to require the State Board of Education to provide limited oversight of the program manager, including an appeal process for the program manager's administrative decisions; to prohibit certain regulations of eligible schools and eligible service providers; to require criminal history background information checks for employees and officers of a program manager; to provide for program funding; and to require the program manager and the board to submit reports on the program to the Legislature.