Bill > HB979

This bill modifies the rules for determining resident status for students at public higher education institutions in Texas. The legislation makes several key changes to how student residency is established, primarily removing a previous provision that allowed students who graduated from a Texas high school to qualify for in-state tuition, regardless of their immigration status. Now, the bill explicitly states that individuals not authorized to be present in the United States cannot be considered Texas residents for tuition purposes. Students can still establish residency by either personally maintaining a domicile in Texas for one year before the academic term or by having a parent who has established and maintained a domicile in the state for the same period. The bill requires students to provide documentation proving their residency, such as statements about the length of time they or their parent have lived in Texas and the purpose of their residence. Additionally, the legislation allows public institutions of higher education to reclassify students as non-residents if they do not meet the new residency requirements, particularly those who previously qualified under the now-removed high school graduation provision or those without federal authorization to be in the United States. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, giving institutions time to adjust to the new requirements.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB979