Sec. 51.969. ELIGIBILITY FOR SCHOLARSHIP; STATEMENT REQUIRED. (a) In this section, "institution of higher education" and "university system" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(b) A person is not eligible to receive a scholarship originating from and administered by an institution of higher education or university system if the person is related to a current member of the governing board of the institution or system, unless:

(1) the scholarship is granted by a private organization or third party not affiliated with the institution of higher education or university system;

(2) the scholarship is awarded exclusively on the basis of prior academic merit;

(3) the scholarship is an athletic scholarship; or

(4) the relationship is not within the third degree by consanguinity or the second degree by affinity, as determined under Subchapter B, Chapter 573, Government Code.

(c) Before receiving a scholarship originating from and administered by an institution of higher education or university system, a person must file a written statement with the institution or system indicating whether the person is related within the third degree by consanguinity or the second degree by affinity to a current member of the governing board of the institution or system.

(d) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules for the administration of this section and shall prescribe the statement to be used under this section. The coordinating board shall notify each institution of higher education and university system of the required statement and applicable rules.

(e) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly files a false statement under Subsection (c).

(f) An offense under Subsection (e) is a Class B misdemeanor.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 422 (S.B. 1325), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1017 (H.B. 4244), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.