HB5646 - Relating to admission of and resident tuition rates and fees at public institutions of higher education for certain students in military-related programs.

      H.B. No. 5646         AN ACT   relating to admission of and resident tuition rates and fees at   public institutions of higher education for certain students in   military-related programs.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 51.805, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (c-1) to read as follows:           (c-1)     In making an admissions decision, a senior military   college or other general academic teaching institution that   maintains a corps of cadets as a fraternal organization beyond   training through a Reserve Officers'   Training Corps (ROTC) program   shall consider an applicant's intent to enlist in a branch of the   United States armed forces or enroll in the corps of cadets.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 54.224 to read as follows:           Sec.   54.224.     RESIDENT TUITION FOR STUDENTS IN   MILITARY-RELATED PROGRAMS. (a) A person enrolled at an   institution of higher education is entitled to pay tuition and fees   at the rates provided for Texas residents if the person is:                 (1)     enrolled and in good standing in a Reserve   Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program;                 (2)     enrolled in a corps of cadets, including a corps of   cadets at a senior military college; or                 (3)  enrolled in a corps of midshipmen.           (b)     Notwithstanding any other law, a person who is entitled   to pay resident tuition and fees only as permitted by this section   is not considered a Texas resident under this subchapter for   purposes of a financial aid program offered by this state.          SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies   beginning with tuition and other fees charged for the 2025 fall   semester. Tuition and other fees charged for an academic period   before that semester are covered by the law in effect immediately   before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is   continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  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.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 5646 was passed by the House on May 8,   2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 147, Nays 0, 2 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 5646 on May 30, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 136, Nays 1,   2 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 5646 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays   1.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor