85R6761 KEL-D     By: Walle H.B. No. 4251       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an exemption from tuition and required fees at public   institutions of higher education for undergraduate students from   low-income families.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.   Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 54.2003 to read as follows:          Sec. 54.2003.  UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME   FAMILIES.  (a) In this section:                (1)  "Family income" means the combined gross income   for purposes of federal income tax of:                      (A)  the student and the student's parents, if the   student is not married; or                      (B)  the student, the student's parents, and the   student's spouse, if the student is married.                (2)  "Federal poverty level" is determined according to   the federal poverty guidelines established by the United States   Department of Health and Human Services.                (3)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning   assigned by Section 61.003.          (b)  For the 2021-2022 academic year and for each subsequent   academic year, an undergraduate student enrolled at an institution   of higher education is exempt from the payment of tuition and   required fees authorized by this chapter for a term or semester if   the student:                (1)  on the day the semester or term begins:                      (A)  is less than 25 years of age; and                      (B)  is a resident of this state who has resided in   this state continuously for the preceding 12 months; and                (2)  for the preceding calendar year, had a family   income of less than 400 percent of the applicable federal poverty   level.          (b-1)  For the 2018-2019, 2019-2020, and 2020-2021 academic   years, an undergraduate student enrolled at an institution of   higher education is exempt from the payment of tuition and required   fees authorized by this chapter for a term or semester if the   student:                (1)  on the day the semester or term begins:                      (A)  is less than 25 years of age; and                      (B)  is a resident of this state who has resided in   this state continuously for the preceding 12 months; and                (2)  for the preceding calendar year, had a family   income of less than 300 percent of the applicable federal poverty   level.          (b-2)  Subsection (b-1) and this subsection expire September   1, 2021.          (c)  A student may not receive an exemption under this   section for more than 12 semesters or summer terms.          (d)  A student is not eligible for an exemption under this   section if the student's tuition and required fees for the semester   or term are or will be paid directly to the institution of higher   education by the United States or by a person other than the student   or the student's family or guardian from funds other than funds of   the student or the student's family or guardian.          (e)  To receive an exemption under this section, a student    must apply for the exemption in the manner provided by the   institution in which the student registers. The governing board of   the institution shall require an applicant to submit satisfactory   evidence that the applicant is eligible for the exemption.          SECTION 2.   This Act applies beginning with tuition and   required fees imposed for the 2018 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, 2017.