88R6572 JTZ-F     By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 969       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of   higher education for certain correctional officers and jailers.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 54.3531(a), Education Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (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 an undergraduate student who:                (1)  is employed as a peace officer, correctional   officer, or jailer 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.          SECTION 2.  Section 54.3531, Education Code, as amended by   this Act, applies beginning with tuition and fees charged for the   2023 fall semester.  Tuition and 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 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, 2023.