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Committee substitute would standardize in‑state tuition for ROTC cadets and create cadet leadership grants

3464588 · May 23, 2025

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Summary

A committee substitute for HB 5646 would ensure students in ROTC or senior military college corps of cadets receive resident tuition rates and create a grant program to fund professional leadership positions and cadet mentoring; committee left the measure pending after no public testimony.

The Committee on Veteran Affairs heard the committee substitute for House Bill 5646, which would clarify state law so students enrolled in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs or members of senior military college corps of cadets receive in‑state tuition and fee rates regardless of formal residency status.

Senator Eckhart said the substitute also adds a grant program to “support the cadet led leadership model,” providing funding for professional leadership positions within the Texas Military Department and the Hollingsworth Center for Ethical Leadership. Eckhart said the grants would fund direct teaching and mentorship, “provide hands on coaching, daily guidance, and structured development for cadets,” facilitate integrated leadership training across core ROTC units and the Hollingsworth Center, and address staffing, cadet support, and operational needs essential to maintaining a service‑oriented officer pipeline.

The committee opened public testimony for HB 5646, called Mitch Fuller to the lectern, and then closed testimony after no further registrants; the committee left the bill pending.