Monitoring the SessionSB 61
Died in committee
Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
relating to conditions on the continued receipt of tuition and fee benefits at public institutions of higher education for senior citizens.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
The senior citizen benefit comes off the list of breaks you can lose.
The bill removes the senior citizen tuition benefit from the list of tuition breaks that a student can lose under the state's conditions on keeping those breaks. That touches Texans who use the senior citizen tuition and fee benefit at public colleges and universities. On the ground, those seniors keep the benefit without having to meet the conditions that apply to other tuition waivers and exemptions.
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R SB 286 (Did not pass) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R SB 286 (Did not pass). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the Senate Education K-16 committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
89R-SB61 · 2024-11-12
relating to conditions on the continued receipt of tuition and fee benefits at public institutions of higher education for senior citizens.
The senior citizen benefit comes off the list of breaks you can lose.
The bill removes the senior citizen tuition benefit from the list of tuition breaks that a student can lose under the state's conditions on keeping those breaks. That touches Texans who use the senior citizen tuition and fee benefit at public colleges and universities. On the ground, those seniors keep the benefit without having to meet the conditions that apply to other tuition waivers and exemptions.
[ ] NONE FOUND
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
No verified beat found.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Jul 1, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
$72,700.00
Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Dec 9, 2024 to Sep 28, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Derived itemized flow · Dec 16, 2025 to Aug 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101011018, 101057658.
$60,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 11, 2024 to Aug 31, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100959783, 100987492, 101011018, 101035338, 101057658.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$72,700.00
Also funds 3 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Dec 9, 2024 to Sep 28, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
Derived itemized flow · Dec 16, 2025 to Aug 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101011018, 101057658.
$60,000.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 11, 2024 to Aug 31, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100959783, 100987492, 101011018, 101035338, 101057658.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.
by Sen. Zaffirini, same lead author · Did not pass · same text
Introduced textLast action, Feb 15, 2023: Referred to s/c on Higher Education by Pres
Relating to conditions on the continued receipt of tuition and fee benefits at public institutions of higher education for senior citizens.
Caption, 88R bill history
Texas Senate · Filed Nov 12, 2024
02/03/2025 S Referred to Education K-16
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 6:51 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Senate committee · Education K-16 · Final status: Died in committee
Aging
Education--Higher--Student Fees
Education--Higher--Student Financial Aid
Education--Higher--Tuition
The text as introduced · 235 words
89R341 CXP-D By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 61 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to conditions on the continued receipt of tuition and fee benefits at public institutions of higher education for senior citizens. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 54.2001(g), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (g) This section does not apply to: (1) the waiver provided by Section 54.216 or any other reduction in tuition provided to a high school student for enrollment in a dual credit course or other course for which the student may earn joint high school and college credit; (2) the exemption provided by Section 54.341(a-2)(1)(A), (B), (C), or (D) or (b)(1)(A), (B), (C), or (D); (3) the exemption provided by Section 54.342, 54.366, or 54.367; (4) the benefit provided by Section 54.365(c); or (5) [ (4) ] any provision of this code that authorizes or requires the payment of tuition or fees at the rates provided for residents of this state by a person who is not a resident of this state for purposes of Subchapter B. SECTION 2. 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.