TITLE: Relating to the tuition exemption offered by public institutions of higher education to firefighters enrolled in certain courses.

SUMMARY: Relating to the tuition exemption offered by public institutions of higher education to firefighters enrolled in certain courses.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the tuition exemption offered by public institutions of higher education to firefighters enrolled in certain courses. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 54.2082 to read as follows: Sec. 54.2082. FIRE SCIENCE TUITION EXEMPTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall establish an advisory committee to develop recommendations for the implementation of the tuition exemption for students enrolled in courses offered as part of a fire science curriculum offered under Section 54.208, as amended by Chapters 1285 (H.B. 2013) and 1299 (H.B. 2347), Acts of the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, including a determination of the definition and scope of fire science curriculum. (b) The advisory committee must be composed of members from institutions of higher education, experts in the fire sciences, and firefighters. (c) The advisory committee may request the cooperation and assistance of state agencies in preparing recommendations under this section. (d) Not later than September 1, 2012, the advisory committee shall issue a report of its recommendations to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house, each standing committee of the legislature with jurisdiction over higher education, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. (e) This section expires January 1, 2013. SECTION 2. 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.