student loan help for border prosecutors

The text as introduced · 773 words

89R879 MM-D

By: West
S.B. No. 223

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.