AUSTIN — Texas lawmakers have passed a suite of new laws this session aimed at strengthening opportunities for students pursuing military service through ROTC and similar programs. Four recently passed bills — HB 102, HB 120, HB 300, and HB 5646 — deliver early registration access, financial support, in-state tuition rates, and admissions consideration for these future military leaders.

“These bills send a clear message that Texas honors and supports those who answer the call to serve,” said Senator Kelly Hancock, Chairman of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee and Senate sponsor of two of the measures. “By investing in students from the very beginning of their journey, from high school preparation to college ROTC programs, we are building up the next generation of military leaders with the resources and recognition they deserve.”

• House Bill 102 ensures that students enrolled in ROTC, corps of cadets, or maritime academies at Texas public colleges and universities receive priority registration for classes beginning with the Spring 2026 term. This measure enables ROTC students to stay on track with both academic and military training requirements.
• House Bill 120, while broader in scope, significantly expands college, career, and military readiness initiatives at the high school level. It enhances CTE programs, advising systems, and scholarship navigation tools like the R-PEP and FAST programs, giving students a stronger pathway into post-secondary military-affiliated opportunities such as ROTC.
• House Bill 300 increases the annual scholarship cap for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program from $15,000 to the greater of $30,000 or the statewide average cost of attendance at a public institution of higher education. These scholarships are awarded to students committed to joining the armed forces through ROTC or a similar commissioning program and help offset tuition, fees, housing, and supplies.
• Finally, House Bill 5646 creates a new statute guaranteeing in-state tuition to students enrolled in ROTC, a corps of cadets, or corps of midshipmen at Texas public institutions. The bill also requires admissions offices to consider a student’s expressed intent to join such programs during the application process, recognizing military preparation as a core element of leadership development.

Together, these legislative changes mark one of the most comprehensive efforts in recent years to support ROTC and military-affiliated students in Texas, reflecting the state’s longstanding commitment to national defense and service.

For more information on each bill, visit capitol.texas.gov.

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