85R4422 SRS-F     By: Rodriguez of Travis H.B. No. 3228       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the exemption of tuition and fees at public   institutions of higher education for certain certified or licensed   paramedics.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 54.3532 to read as follows:          Sec. 54.3532.  EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDER ENROLLED   IN MEDICAL COURSES. (a)  The governing board of an institution of   higher education shall exempt from the payment of tuition and   laboratory fees any student enrolled in one or more courses offered   as part of a medical curriculum who:                (1)  is employed by a political subdivision of this   state as an emergency medical technician certified by the   Department of State Health Services as provided by Chapter 773,   Health and Safety Code; or                (2)  is currently, and has been for at least one year,   an active member of a municipal emergency medical services provider   and who holds an associate's degree as a licensed paramedic.          (b)  An exemption provided under this section does not apply   to deposits that may be required in the nature of security for the   return or proper care of property loaned for the use of students.          (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), a student who for a   semester or term at an institution of higher education receives an   exemption under this section may continue to receive the exemption   for a subsequent semester or term at any institution only if the   student makes satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or   certificate at that institution as determined by the institution   for purposes of financial aid.          (d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the exemption provided   under this section does not apply to any amount of additional   tuition the institution elects to charge a resident undergraduate   student under Section 54.014(a) or (f).          (e)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the exemption provided   under this section does not apply to any amount of tuition the   institution charges a graduate student in excess of the amount of   tuition charged to similarly situated graduate students because the   student has a number of semester credit hours of doctoral work in   excess of the applicable number provided by Section 61.059(l)(1) or   (2).          (f)  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall   adopt:                (1)  rules governing the granting or denial of an   exemption under this section, including rules relating to the   determination of a student's eligibility for an exemption; and                (2)  a uniform listing of degree programs covered by   the exemption under this section.          SECTION 2.  Section 54.3532, Education Code, as added by   this Act, applies beginning with tuition and laboratory fees   charged for the 2017 fall semester. Tuition and laboratory fees   charged for an academic period before that semester are covered by   the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act,   and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.          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, 2017.