HB 1925
AN ACT relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Expands tuition and fee exemptions for peace officers pursuing law enforcement-related degree programs at public higher education institutions in Texas. Specifically, employed peace officers at the state or local level can receive a full exemption from tuition and laboratory fees if they are enrolled in an approved law enforcement degree program, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and apply at least one week before the registration deadline. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement will determine which specific degree programs qualify as law enforcement-related, with the exemption taking effect for the fall 2025 semester.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education for certain peace officers. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 54.3531, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (e) and adding Subsection (a-1) to (a) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall exempt from the payment of tuition and laboratory fees charged by the institution for a [criminal justice or law enforcement] course or courses a [an undergraduate] student who: (1) is employed as a peace officer by this state or by a political subdivision of this state; (2) is enrolled in a [criminal justice or] law enforcement-related degree program at the institution; (3) is making satisfactory academic progress toward the student's degree as determined by the institution; and (4) applies for the exemption at least one week before the last date of the institution's regular registration period for the applicable semester or other term. (a-1) The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, in consultation with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall adopt rules specifying which degree programs are law enforcement-related for purposes of Subsection (a)(2). (e) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall [(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 SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement shall adopt the rules required by Section 54.3531(a-1), Education Code, as added by SECTION 3. Section 54.3531, Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies beginning with tuition and other fees charged for the 2025 fall semester. Tuition and other fees charged for an academic period before that semester are governed 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 4. 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.
Bill Sponsors
Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Law Enforcement and related subject areas.
Beverly C. Cornwell
PremiumMichael J. Johnson
Allison Billodeau
Sarah Hicks
Ky Ash
Andria Baum
David H. Cain
Elizabeth Hadley
Ashley Michelle Juergens
Matthew Bentley
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of
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