The bill amends Section 54.341 of the Education Code to expand tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education to include the siblings of certain military personnel. Specifically, it allows exemptions for siblings of armed forces members who were killed in action, died while in service, are missing in action, or are permanently disabled due to service-related injuries. A new provision stipulates that a sibling can qualify for this exemption only if the military member does not have a spouse or child.

Additionally, the bill modifies the qualification criteria for exemptions by including siblings alongside spouses and children, while removing the requirement for a child to be included in the exemption eligibility. The changes will take effect starting with the tuition and fees charged for the fall semester of 2025, with prior terms remaining governed by the existing law. The bill will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 54.341 (Education Code 54)