87R1239 KJE-D
By: White H.B. No. 557
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship Program for
certain students at public institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter LL to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER LL. SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS
(STEM) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Sec. 61.9851. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "STEM
program" means a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics
program.
Sec. 61.9852. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. (a) For purposes of
Section 49-g(c-3), Article III, Texas Constitution, the Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Scholarship
Program is established to provide eligible students with
scholarships to attend a STEM program at an institution of higher
education.
(b) The board shall establish and administer the
scholarship program in accordance with this subchapter and board
rules.
Sec. 61.9853. ELIGIBILITY. (a) To receive an initial
scholarship under this subchapter, a student must:
(1) be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the
United States;
(2) be a Texas resident under Section 54.052;
(3) enroll in a STEM program at an institution of
higher education; and
(4) comply with any other eligibility requirements
established by board rule.
(b) To continue to qualify for a scholarship under this
subchapter, a student must:
(1) remain enrolled in a STEM program at an
institution of higher education;
(2) make satisfactory academic progress as determined
by board rule; and
(3) comply with any other eligibility requirements
established by board rule.
Sec. 61.9854. AMOUNT; FUNDING. From funds retained as
general revenue under Section 49-g(c-3), Article III, Texas
Constitution, and appropriated for that purpose and from any other
available funds, the board shall award scholarships in an amount
determined by board rule to eligible students under the scholarship
program.
SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
shall begin awarding scholarships under Subchapter LL, Chapter 61,
Education Code, as added by this Act, for the first academic year
for which money is appropriated for that purpose, except that the
coordinating board may not award scholarships under that subchapter
for an academic year before the 2023-2024 academic year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2022, but only
if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 87th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2021, 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 is approved by the voters. If that
constitutional amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act
has no effect.