88R3943 KSD-F     By: Blanco S.B. No. 548       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a limitation on the amount of tuition charged by public   institutions of higher education.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 54, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 54.0514 to read as follows:          Sec. 54.0514.  LIMITATION ON TOTAL AMOUNT OF TUITION. (a)   In this section, "tuition" includes:                (1)  tuition for which the rates are prescribed by this   chapter; and                (2)  tuition charged by an institution of higher   education under Section 54.0513 or another law authorizing an   institution to establish tuition rates.          (a-1)  This section does not apply to tuition charged by an   institution of higher education for an academic period before the   2024-2025 academic year. This subsection expires January 1, 2025.          (b)  The total amount of tuition charged by an institution of   higher education to a student for an academic year may not exceed   the total amount of tuition that the institution would have charged   under this chapter to a similarly situated student for the   2023-2024 academic year. For purposes of this subsection, students   are similarly situated if they share the same residency status,   degree program, course load, course level, tuition exemption   status, and other circumstances affecting the tuition charged to   students. This subsection does not ensure that the total amount of   tuition charged to an individual student does not increase based on   a change in the student's residency status, degree program, course   load, course level, tuition exemption status, or other circumstance   affecting the tuition charged to the student.          SECTION 2.  Sections 54.0513(a) and (b), Education Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (a)  In addition to amounts that a governing board of an   institution of higher education is authorized to charge as tuition   under the other provisions of this chapter, the governing board[,   under the terms the governing board considers appropriate,] may   charge any student an amount designated as tuition, not to exceed   the amount that enables the institution to comply with Section   54.0514, that the governing board considers necessary for the   effective operation of the institution.          (b)  Subject to the limit provided by Subsection (a) on the   amount designated as tuition charged under this section, a [A]   governing board may set a different tuition rate under this section   for each program and course level offered by each institution of   higher education[. A governing board may set a different tuition   rate] as the governing board considers appropriate to increase   graduation rates, encourage efficient use of facilities, or enhance   employee performance.          SECTION 3.  Sections 54.0515(e) and (f), Education Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (e)  It is the legislature's intent that each institution of   higher education[, as a condition to tuition deregulation under   Section 54.0513,] reasonably implement the following:                (1)  each institution shall make satisfactory progress   towards the goals provided in its master plan for higher education   and in "Closing the Gaps," the state's master plan for higher   education, or a successor state master plan; and                (2)  each institution shall meet acceptable   performance criteria, including measures such as graduation rates,   retention rates, enrollment growth, educational quality, efforts   to enhance minority participation, opportunities for financial   aid, and affordability.          (f)  The committee shall:                (1)  meet at the call of either chair;                (2)  monitor and regularly report to the legislature on   each institution of higher education's compliance with the   requirements of Subsection (e); and                (3)  receive and review information concerning the   affordability and accessibility of higher education[, including   the impact of tuition deregulation].          SECTION 4.  This Act applies beginning with tuition charged   by public institutions of higher education for the 2024 fall   semester. Tuition charged by an institution of higher education in   an academic period before that semester is covered by the law in   effect before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2024.