87R136 MM-D
By: Powell S.B. No. 370
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the determination of student priority in awarding TEXAS
grants.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 56.303(d-1) and (f), Education Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(d-1) In allocating among eligible institutions money
available for initial TEXAS grants for an academic year, the
coordinating board shall ensure that each of those institutions'
proportional share of the total amount of money for initial grants
that is allocated to eligible institutions under this section for
that year does not, as a result of the number of students who
establish eligibility at the institution for an initial grant
awarded under the highest priority as described by Subsection (f)
[under Section 56.3041(2)(A)], change from the institution's
proportional share of the total amount of money for initial grants
that is allocated to those institutions under this section for the
preceding academic year.
(f) Beginning with TEXAS grants awarded for the 2013-2014
academic year, in determining who should receive an initial TEXAS
grant, each eligible institution, in addition to giving priority as
provided by Subsection (e), shall give highest priority equally to
students who meet the eligibility criteria described by Sections
56.3041(a)(2)(A) and (C) [Section 56.3041(2)(A)]. If there is money
available in excess of the amount required to award an initial TEXAS
grant to all students meeting those criteria, an eligible
institution shall make awards to other students who meet the
eligibility criteria described by Section 56.304(a)(2)(A),
provided that the institution continues to give priority to
students as provided by Subsection (e).
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply
beginning with initial TEXAS grants awarded for the 2022 fall
semester. Initial TEXAS grants awarded for a semester or term
before the 2022 fall semester are governed by the applicable law in
effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
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, 2021.