89R11461 AND-D
By: Dutton H.B. No. 2848
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an exemption from or refund of tuition and fees for
certain lower-division students enrolled at Texas Southern
University or Prairie View A&M University.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.220 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.220. EXEMPTION FOR LOWER-DIVISION STUDENTS AT
CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) An entering freshman
student enrolled at Texas Southern University or Prairie View A&M
University is entitled to a refund of tuition and required fees paid
by the student under this chapter for the first semester or term for
which the student enrolls at that university if the student:
(1) graduated from a private high school, including a
home school, or public high school in this state;
(2) is classified as a Texas resident under Subchapter
B; and
(3) for all courses attempted that initial semester or
term earns a grade point average of at least 2.0 on a four-point
scale or the equivalent.
(b) To receive a refund under Subsection (a), the student
must apply to the university in the manner required by the
university not later than the first anniversary of the last class
day of the semester or term.
(c) A student enrolled at Texas Southern University or
Prairie View A&M University is exempt from the payment of tuition
and required fees authorized by this chapter for a semester or term
of the student's first two academic years, other than a semester or
term described by Subsection (a), at that university if the
student:
(1) graduated from a private high school, including a
home school, or public high school in this state;
(2) is classified as a Texas resident under Subchapter
B; and
(3) maintains an overall grade-point average of at
least 2.0 on a four-point scale or the equivalent for all prior
coursework attempted at the university.
(d) A student receiving an exemption under this section for
one or more semesters or terms may not enroll for the student's
third academic year at the university until the student passes an
examination to be selected and administered by the university for
that purpose.
(e) A university to which this section applies may fund
tuition and fee refunds and exemptions under this section from
local funds or from funds appropriated to the university. The
university may but is not required to provide tuition and fee
refunds or exemptions beyond those funded through state
appropriations specifically designated for this purpose.
(f) A person may not receive a refund or exemption under
this section for a semester or term that begins after the 2044-2045
academic year. This section expires September 1, 2046.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with tuition and fees
charged for the 2025 fall semester.
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.