By: Zaffirini  S.B. No. 247          (In the Senate - Filed November 18, 2016; January 30, 2017,   read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education;   May 1, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable Committee   Substitute by the following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 2; May 1, 2017, sent   to printer.)     COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 247 By:  Menéndez     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT     relating to funding sources for the repayment of certain   speech-language pathologist and audiologist education loans.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 61.9818, Education Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 61.9818.  PROGRAM FUNDING. (a)  The program may be   funded [solely] from:                (1)  gifts, grants, and donations solicited and   accepted by the board for the purposes of this subchapter; and                (2)  a portion of the fees collected under Chapter 51,   Occupations Code, as determined under Subsection (b).          (b)  The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation by rule   may, in consultation with the advisory board established under   Subchapter C, Chapter 401, Occupations Code, provide that a portion   of the fees collected under Chapter 51, Occupations Code, from   persons regulated under Chapter 401, Occupations Code, may be   allocated to fund the program, provided that the portion is in an   amount that does not result in an increase in fees paid under   Chapter 51, Occupations Code, by those persons.          SECTION 2.  A rule adopted under Section 61.9818(b),   Education Code, as added by this Act, may not take effect earlier   than the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2019.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.     * * * * *