Dutton Tuition Bill’s Refunds Are Optional Without State Money

The text as introduced · 528 words

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.