Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Higher Education Residency topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House pauses residency bill after debate over eligibility for children of legally admitted foreign nationals
Summary
Lawmakers debated an amendment to first substitute House Bill 118 that would clarify in‑state tuition eligibility for children of foreign nationals legally admitted to the U.S.; members cited the Board of Regents' views and ultimately voted to circle the bill for further consideration.
Representative Draxler moved to uncircle first substitute House Bill 118 so the House could address recent amendments about in‑state tuition residency. Debate centered on Amendment No. 3 (dated Feb. 21, 2007), which the sponsor described as narrowing intent to cover children of foreign nationals legally admitted to the United States and to close a perceived loophole.
Sponsor and other members said the amendment was intended to allow certain children of legally admitted foreign nationals who attended high school for three years to qualify for resident tuition where existing language had not allowed it. Members cited guidance from the Board of Regents — which proponents said supported the amendment — and discussed whether committee amendments already addressed the issue.
Several members urged more time to ensure the language matched intent and to avoid moving outside the bill’s scope. Multiple motions to circle (set aside for further work) were made; the House approved a motion to circle the bill to permit further review and to resolve remaining questions.
No final action on the underlying residency language occurred on the floor; the bill was circled for later consideration. Lawmakers indicated the Board of Regents and legislative research staff had been consulted during informal floor discussions but some members asked that outstanding concerns be clarified before returning the bill to the floor.
