89R215 MM-D
By: Raymond H.B. No. 1867
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of
higher education for the siblings of certain military personnel.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 54.341, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a-2) and (b-1) and adding Subsection (a-5) to
read as follows:
(a-2) The exemptions provided for in Subsection (a) also
apply to the spouse or a sibling of:
(1) a member of the armed forces of the United States:
(A) who was killed in action;
(B) who died while in service;
(C) who is missing in action;
(D) whose death is documented to be directly
caused by illness or injury connected with service in the armed
forces of the United States; or
(E) who became totally and permanently disabled
or meets the eligibility requirements for individual
unemployability according to the disability ratings of the
Department of Veterans Affairs as a result of a service-related
injury; or
(2) a member of the Texas National Guard or the Texas
Air National Guard who:
(A) was killed since January 1, 1946, while on
active duty either in the service of this state or the United
States; or
(B) is totally and permanently disabled or meets
the eligibility requirements for individual unemployability
according to the disability ratings of the Department of Veterans
Affairs, regardless of whether the member is eligible to receive
disability benefits from the department, as a result of a
service-related injury suffered since January 1, 1946, while on
active duty either in the service of this state or the United
States.
(a-5) A sibling of a member of the armed forces may qualify
for an exemption under Subsection (a-2) only if the member does not
have a spouse or child.
(b-1) To qualify for an exemption under Subsection (a-2) or
(b), the spouse, [or] child, or sibling must be classified as a
resident under Subchapter B on the date of the spouse's, [or]
child's, or sibling's registration.
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act to Section
54.341, Education Code, apply beginning with tuition and fees
charged for the 2025 fall semester. Tuition and fees charged for a
term or semester before the 2025 fall semester are covered by the
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, 2025.