H.B. No. 2535 amends the Education Code regarding the determination of resident status for students at public institutions of higher education in Texas. The bill modifies Section 54.052 by removing the previous criteria for residency that included students who graduated from a Texas high school or received an equivalent diploma. It retains the requirements for individuals who establish and maintain a domicile in Texas for at least one year prior to the census date of the academic term. Additionally, it introduces a new provision stating that individuals not authorized under federal law to be present in the United States cannot be considered residents for the purposes of this title.

The bill also revises Section 54.053, which outlines the information required to establish resident status. It eliminates the need for certain statements previously required from students applying under the now-deleted criteria. The changes allow for a more streamlined process for determining residency while ensuring that only eligible individuals are classified as residents. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 54.052, Education Code 54.053 (Education Code 54)