87R8145 CXP-D     By: Ramos H.B. No. 2234       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to tuition and fees exemptions at public institutions of   higher education for certain dual credit students considering a   teaching career.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 54.363, Education Code,   is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 54.363.  GROW YOUR OWN EDUCATOR EXEMPTION [EDUCATIONAL   AIDES].          SECTION 2.  Section 54.363, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (b), (c), and (c-1) and adding Subsection   (c-2) to read as follows:          (b)  The governing board of an institution of higher   education shall exempt an eligible educational aide or high school   student from the payment of tuition and fees, other than class or   laboratory fees.          (c)  To be eligible for an exemption under this section as an   educational aide, a person must:                (1)  be a resident of this state;                (2)  be a school employee serving in any capacity;                (3)  for the initial term or semester for which the   person receives an exemption under this section, have worked as an   educational aide for at least one school year during the five years   preceding that term or semester;                (4)  establish financial need as determined by   coordinating board rule;                (5)  be enrolled at the institution of higher education   granting the exemption in courses required for teacher   certification in one or more subject areas determined by the Texas   Education Agency to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers   at the public schools in this state;                (6)  maintain an acceptable grade point average as   determined by coordinating board rule; and                (7)  comply with any other requirements adopted by the   coordinating board under this section.          (c-1)  Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(5), a person who   previously received a tuition exemption under this section as an   educational aide remains eligible for an exemption if the person:                (1)  is enrolled at an institution of higher education   granting the exemption in courses required for teacher   certification; and                (2)  meets the eligibility requirements in Subsection   (c) other than Subsection (c)(5).          (c-2)  To be eligible for an exemption under this section as   a high school student, a person must:                (1)  be enrolled at a public high school in dual credit   courses under Section 28.009 offered through the institution of   higher education granting the exemption;                (2)  be a member of a future teacher association; and                (3)  comply with any other requirements adopted by the   coordinating board under this section.          SECTION 3.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall   adopt or amend rules to implement Section 54.363, Education Code,   as amended by this Act.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.