The bill, H.B. No. 1507, proposes amendments to Section 54.353(a) of the Education Code to expand tuition and fee exemptions for firefighters enrolled in fire science courses at public institutions of higher education. The amendments specify that the governing board of an institution must exempt from tuition and laboratory fees any student who is either employed as a firefighter by a political subdivision of the state or a member in good standing of a registered volunteer fire department that responds to 9-1-1 emergency calls. Additionally, it outlines further criteria for volunteer firefighters, including attendance at annual training, participation in department emergencies, and holding specific certifications.

The bill establishes that the new provisions will apply starting with tuition and laboratory fees charged for the fall semester of 2025, while fees charged for any academic period before that will continue to be governed by the previous law. The act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 54.353 (Education Code 54)
House Committee Report: Education Code 54.353 (Education Code 54)
Engrossed: Education Code 54.353 (Education Code 54)