By: Tepper H.B. No. 1454
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to waivers and reductions of tuition and fees by
institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.018 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.018. PROHIBITION ON WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF TUITION
OR FEE BASED ON INCOME. (a) This section does not apply to a
scholarship or grant awarded under Chapter 56, Education Code.
(b) Notwithstanding Section 54.010, the governing board of
an institution of higher education may not offer a student a waiver
or reduction of tuition or fee based on financial hardship,
including based on the income of the:
(1) student;
(2) student's household; or
(3) student's legal guardian.
SECTION 2. Section 54.217, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 54.217. STUDENTS ENROLLED IN FULLY FUNDED COURSES;
OPTIONAL WAIVER. (a) The governing board of an institution of
higher education may waive tuition and fees for students attending
courses that are fully funded by federal or other sources.
(b) If the governing board of an institution waives tuition
and fees for a student enrolled in a course under this section, the
governing board must waive tuition and fees for all students
enrolled in that course or subject to that fee who are in good
academic standing and may not waive tuition and fees based on
financial hardship, including based on the income of the:
(1) student;
(2) student's household; or
(3) student's legal guardian.
SECTION 3. The following provisions of the Education Code
are repealed:
(a) Section 54.261;
(b) Section 54.262;
(c) Section 54.5061(g); and
(d) Section 54.513(h).
SECTION 4. Section 54.018, as added by this Act, and Section
54.217, as amended by this Act, apply beginning with the 2026 fall
semester.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.