H.B. No. 290 aims to enhance financial assistance for tuition and fees at postsecondary educational institutions for certain members of the Texas military forces. The bill amends the Education Code to increase the maximum number of semester credit hours eligible for tuition exemption from 12 to 15. Additionally, it ensures that individuals receiving this exemption are also exempt from all mandatory fees during the semester or term in which they receive the tuition exemption.

In the Government Code, the bill modifies the provisions regarding assistance for tuition and mandatory fees, allowing for a greater number of awards to members of the Texas State Guard, increasing the cap from 30 to 45 awards per semester or term, unless a compelling need for more is established. It also expands the eligibility for assistance to include vocational or technical courses and sets a limit of 15 semester credit hours for assistance in any semester or term. The bill is set to take effect in the fall semester of 2025, contingent upon legislative approval for immediate effect or otherwise on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 54.345, Government Code 437.226 (Government Code 437, Education Code 54)
House Committee Report: Education Code 54.345, Government Code 437.226 (Government Code 437, Education Code 54)