85R12109 SRS-D     By: Dutton H.B. No. 2498       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an exemption from or refund of tuition and fees for   lower-division students enrolled in a general academic teaching   institution who maintain a high grade point average.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 54.220 to read as follows:          Sec. 54.220.  EXEMPTION FOR RESIDENT LOWER-DIVISION   STUDENTS AT GENERAL ACADEMIC TEACHING INSTITUTIONS FOR MAINTAINING   HIGH ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.  (a) In this section, "general academic   teaching institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.          (b)  An entering freshman student enrolled in a general   academic teaching institution is entitled to a refund of the   tuition and required fees paid by the student under this chapter for   the first semester or term for which the student enrolls at that   institution if the student:                (1)  graduated from a private high school, including a   home school, or a public high school in this state;                (2)  is classified as a Texas resident under Subchapter   B; and                (3)  for all courses attempted that initial semester or   term earns a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a four-point   scale or the equivalent.          (c)  To receive a refund under Subsection (b), the student   must apply to the institution for the refund in the manner required   by the institution not later than the first anniversary of the last   class day of the semester or term.          (d)  A student enrolled in a general academic teaching   institution is exempt from the payment of tuition and required fees   authorized by this chapter for a semester or term of the student's   first two academic years, other than a semester or term covered by   Subsection (b), at that institution if the student:                (1)  graduated from a private high school, including a   home school, or a public high school in this state;                (2)  is classified as a Texas resident under Subchapter   B; and                (3)  maintains an overall grade point average of at   least 3.0 on a four-point scale or the equivalent for all prior   course work attempted at the institution.          (e)  A student receiving an exemption under this section for   one or more semesters or terms may not enroll for the student's   third academic year at the institution until the student passes an   examination to be selected and administered by the institution.          (f)  An institution to which this section applies shall fund   tuition and fee refunds and exemptions under this section from   available institutional funds or from available local funds or   other amounts appropriated to the institution, without regard to   whether those appropriations are specifically designated for this   purpose.          (g)  A person may not receive a refund or exemption under   this section for a semester or term that begins after the 2036-2037   academic year. This section expires September 1, 2038.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with tuition and fees   charged for the 2017 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.