86R11909 SOS-D
 
  By: Dutton H.B. No. 1954
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to an exemption from or refund of tuition and fees for
  lower-division students enrolled in a general academic teaching
  institution who maintain a high grade point average.
         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 RESIDENT LOWER-DIVISION
  STUDENTS AT GENERAL ACADEMIC TEACHING INSTITUTIONS FOR MAINTAINING
  HIGH ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.  (a) In this section, "general academic
  teaching institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  An entering freshman student enrolled in a general
  academic teaching institution is entitled to a refund of the
  tuition and required fees paid by the student under this chapter for
  the first semester or term for which the student enrolls at that
  institution if the student:
               (1)  graduated from a private high school, including a
  home school, or a 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 3.5 on a four-point
  scale or the equivalent.
         (c)  To receive a refund under Subsection (b), the student
  must apply to the general academic teaching institution for the
  refund in the manner required by the institution not later than the
  first anniversary of the last class day of the semester or term for
  which the student seeks a refund.
         (d)  A student enrolled in a general academic teaching
  institution 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 covered by
  Subsection (b), at that institution if the student:
               (1)  graduated from a private high school, including a
  home school, or a 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 3.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent for all prior
  course work attempted at the institution.
         (e)  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 general academic teaching institution
  until the student passes an examination selected and administered
  by the institution.
         (f)  A general academic teaching institution shall fund
  tuition and fee refunds and exemptions under this section from
  available institutional funds or from available local funds or
  other amounts appropriated to the institution, without regard to
  whether those appropriations are specifically designated for this
  purpose.
         (g)  A student may not receive a refund or exemption under
  this section for a semester or term that begins after the 2038-2039
  academic year. This section expires September 1, 2039.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with tuition and fees
  charged for the 2019 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, 2019.