88R3726 CXP-D     By: Middleton S.B. No. 689       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of a public safety dual credit grant   program by the Texas Education Agency.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 29.9081 to read as follows:          Sec. 29.9081.  PUBLIC SAFETY DUAL CREDIT GRANT PROGRAM. (a)   From funds appropriated or otherwise available for the purpose, the   agency shall establish and administer a program to provide grants   to eligible students who enroll while in high school in a dual   credit public safety degree or certificate program at a public   institution of higher education.          (b)  The commissioner by rule shall establish eligibility   criteria to receive a grant under this section. The criteria must:                (1)  require a student to enter into an agreement with   the agency to:                      (A)  complete the student's public safety degree   or certificate program within a period prescribed by commissioner   rule; and                      (B)  on completion of the student's degree or   certificate program and any other prerequisites for employment as a   peace officer or other public safety officer in this state,   complete a number of years of employment as a peace officer or other   public safety officer in this state, as prescribed by commissioner   rule; and                (2)  provide that a student who establishes initial   eligibility for a grant under this section remains eligible for a   grant under this section for the duration of the student's   enrollment in a public safety degree or certificate program at a   public institution of higher education as long as the student   continues to:                      (A)  make satisfactory academic progress toward   the degree or certificate; and                      (B)  meet other requirements prescribed by   commissioner rule.          (c)  The amount of a grant awarded to a student under this   section is equal to the cost of tuition and required fees incurred   by the student for enrollment in a public safety degree or   certificate program at a public institution of higher education.          (d)  A student receiving a grant under this section may use   the money only to pay the cost of tuition and required fees incurred   by the student for enrollment in a public safety degree or   certificate program at a public institution of higher education.          (e)  The agency may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and   donations from any public or private source for the purpose of this   section.          (f)  The commissioner shall adopt rules to establish and   administer the grant program under this section.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the Texas Education Agency shall establish the public   safety dual credit grant program under Section 29.9081, Education   Code, as added by this Act.          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.