valedictorian tuition break now covers Defense Department high schools

The text as introduced · 304 words

90R3396 KJE-D

By: Wilson
H.B. No. 493

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to eligibility for an exemption from tuition at a public

institution of higher education for certain highest ranking high

school graduates.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 54.301, Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 54.301. HIGHEST RANKING HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES;

OPTIONAL EXEMPTION. (a) The governing board of each institution of

higher education may issue scholarships each year to students

eligible under Subsection (b) [ the highest ranking graduate of each

accredited high school of this state ], exempting those students

[ the graduates ] from the payment of tuition during both semesters

of the first regular session immediately following their

graduation.

(b) A student is eligible for an exemption under Subsection

(a) if the student is:

(1) the highest ranking graduate of an accredited high

school in this state; or

(2) both:

(A) a resident of this state under Section

54.052; and

(B) the highest ranking graduate of a high school

operated by the United States Department of Defense.

(c) An [ This ] exemption under this section may be granted

for any one of the first four regular sessions following the

student's [ individual's ] graduation from high school when in the

opinion of the institution's president the circumstances of an

individual case, including military service, merit the action.

SECTION 2. Section 54.301, Education Code, as amended by

this Act, applies beginning with the 2027-2028 academic year.

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, 2027.