The text as introduced · 773 words
89R879 MM-D
By: Guillen
H.B. No. 184
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to student loan repayment assistance for certain
prosecuting attorneys who are employed as part of the border
prosecution unit.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter PP to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER PP. REPAYMENT OF EDUCATION LOANS FOR BORDER PROSECUTION
UNIT ATTORNEYS
Sec. 61.9971. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "border
prosecution unit" means the border prosecution unit established
under Subchapter B, Chapter 772, Government Code.
Sec. 61.9972. LOAN REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE AUTHORIZED. The
board shall provide, in accordance with this subchapter and board
rules, assistance in the repayment of eligible student loans for
eligible attorneys who apply and qualify for the assistance.
Sec. 61.9973. ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible to receive loan
repayment assistance under this subchapter, an attorney must:
(1) apply to the board in a manner prescribed by the
board;
(2) be an attorney licensed in this state; and
(3) have completed one, two, three, or four
consecutive years of employment as a prosecuting attorney for the
border prosecution unit.
Sec. 61.9974. LIMITATION. An attorney may receive loan
repayment assistance under this subchapter for not more than four
years.
Sec. 61.9975. ELIGIBLE LOANS. (a) The board may provide
loan repayment assistance under this subchapter for the repayment
of any student loan for education at an institution of higher
education, a private or independent institution of higher
education, or a public or private out-of-state institution of
higher education accredited by a recognized accrediting agency,
including loans for undergraduate education, received by an
eligible person through any lender.
(b) The board may not provide repayment assistance for a
student loan that is in default at the time of the person's
application.
(c) In each state fiscal biennium, the board shall attempt
to allocate all money appropriated to the board for the purpose of
providing loan repayment assistance under this subchapter.
Sec. 61.9976. REPAYMENT. (a) The board shall deliver any
repayment under this subchapter in a lump sum payable:
(1) to both the lender or other holder of the loan and
the attorney; or
(2) directly to the lender or other holder of the loan
on the attorney's behalf.
(b) A repayment under this subchapter may be applied to any
amount due in connection with the loan.
Sec. 61.9977. AMOUNT OF REPAYMENT ASSISTANCE. (a) For each
year an attorney establishes eligibility for the assistance, the
attorney may receive loan repayment assistance under this
subchapter in an amount determined by applying the following
applicable percentage to the attorney's total student loan balance:
(1) for the first year, 25 percent;
(2) for the second year, 25 percent;
(3) for the third year, 25 percent; and
(4) for the fourth year, 25 percent.
(b) The total amount of loan repayment assistance awarded
under this subchapter may not exceed the sum of:
(1) the total amount of gifts and grants accepted by
the board for the repayment assistance;
(2) legislative appropriations for the repayment
assistance; and
(3) other money available to the board for the
repayment assistance.
(c) The total amount of loan repayment assistance received
by an attorney under this subchapter may not exceed $110,000.
(d) The total amount of loan repayment assistance awarded
under this subchapter may not exceed $2 million in each state fiscal
biennium.
(e) The board may adjust in an equitable manner the
distribution amounts that attorneys would otherwise receive under
Subsection (a) for a year as necessary to comply with the other
provisions of this section.
Sec. 61.9978. RULES; ADMINISTRATION. (a) The board shall
adopt rules necessary to administer this subchapter, including
rules regarding reimbursement of any loan repayment assistance paid
to an attorney who does not complete four consecutive years of
employment as a prosecuting attorney for the border prosecution
unit.
(b) The board shall distribute copies of the rules adopted
under this section and other pertinent information relating to this
subchapter to:
(1) each school of law authorized by the board to award
a degree that satisfies the law study requirements for licensure as
an attorney in this state;
(2) the office of each prosecutor who is a member of
the border prosecution unit; and
(3) the criminal justice division of the governor's
office.
(c) The board shall administer the program under this
subchapter in a manner that maximizes any matching funds available
through other sources.
Sec. 61.9979. SOLICITATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF MONEY. The
board may solicit and accept gifts and grants from any public or
private source for the purposes of this subchapter.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
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