88R8795 JTZ-D     By: Dutton H.B. No. 2445       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to an exemption from or refund of tuition and fees for   certain lower-division students enrolled at Texas Southern   University or Prairie View A&M University.          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 LOWER-DIVISION STUDENTS AT   CERTAIN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) An entering freshman   student enrolled at Texas Southern University or Prairie View A&M   University is entitled to a refund of tuition and required fees paid   by the student under this chapter for the first semester or term for   which the student enrolls at that university if the student:                (1)  graduated from a private high school, including a   home school, or 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 2.0 on a four-point   scale or the equivalent.          (b)  To receive a refund under Subsection (a), the student   must apply to the university in the manner required by the   university not later than the first anniversary of the last class   day of the semester or term.          (c)  A student enrolled at Texas Southern University or   Prairie View A&M University 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 described by Subsection (a), at that university if the   student:                (1)  graduated from a private high school, including a   home school, or 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 2.0 on a four-point scale or the equivalent for all prior   coursework attempted at the university.          (d)  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 university until the student passes an   examination to be selected and administered by the university for   that purpose.          (e)  A university to which this section applies may fund   tuition and fee refunds and exemptions under this section from   local funds or from funds appropriated to the university. The   university may but is not required to provide tuition and fee   refunds or exemptions beyond those funded through state   appropriations specifically designated for this purpose.          (f)  A person may not receive a refund or exemption under   this section for a semester or term that begins after the 2042-2043   academic year. This section expires September 1, 2044.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with tuition and fees   charged for the 2023 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, 2023.