MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2003 Regular Session

To: Universities and Colleges

By: Representative Bowles

House Bill 388

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-103-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING AND COMMUNITY AND JUNIOR COLLEGES TO WAIVE OUT-OF-STATE TUITION FOR NONRESIDENTS WHOSE PARENTS ARE ALUMNI OF A STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER LEARNING WHO ALSO OWN REAL PROPERTY IN MISSISSIPPI; TO AMEND SECTIONS 37-29-81 AND 37-29-423, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, IN CONFORMITY TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 37-103-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-103-25.  (1)  The Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and the boards of trustees of the community colleges and junior colleges are * * * authorized to prescribe the amount of tuition and fees to be paid by students attending the several state-supported institutions of higher learning and community colleges and junior colleges of the State of Mississippi. * * *

     (2)  Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, the total tuition to be paid by residents of other states shall not be less than the average cost per student from appropriated funds.  However, the tuition to be paid by a resident of another state must be equal to the tuition amount established under subsection (1) of this section if:

          (a)  Both the mother and father of the nonresident student are graduates of a state institution of higher learning in Mississippi; and

          (b)  Both the mother and father of the nonresident student own real property within the State of Mississippi.

     SECTION 2.  Section 37-29-81, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-29-81.  The district, in the discretion of the board of trustees, may charge fees and tuitions in accordance with Section 37-103-25.

     SECTION 3.  Section 37-29-423, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     37-29-423.  The Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College District, in the discretion of the board of trustees, may charge fees and tuitions in accordance with Section 37-103-25.

     SECTION 4.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2003.