HBA-MPM H.B. 1027 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1027
By: Solomons
Higher Education
2/17/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, student center fees for a state institution of higher learning
are addressed through legislation specific to each institution, as are
increases in these fees.  The student center of one Texas Women's
University campus is in need of renovation, and there are no designated
student center facilities for students at two other campuses.  H.B. 1027
authorizes TWU's board of regents, with the concurrence of the university's
Student Fee Allocation Committee, to raise student fees, with a long
session fee range of $25 to $40, rather than the current fee of $20; and a
summer session fee range of $12.50 to $20.00, rather than the current fee
of $10.00.  Additionally, this bill deletes the requirement that a fee
increase of more than three dollars per fiscal year be approved by a
majority of student voters in an election concerning the increase of
student center fees. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 54.525(a) and (b), Education Code, to authorize
the board of regents (board) of Texas Women's University to levy a regular,
fixed student fee (fee) of not less than $25 or more than $40, rather than
a fee not to exceed $20, per student for each long session semester.
Authorizes the board to levy a fee of not less than $12.50 or more than
$20, rather than a fee not to exceed $10, per student for each summer
session term.  Authorizes the board to increase a fee with the concurrence
of the Student Fee Allocation Committee or similar entity established to
advise or assist the board in imposing or allocating student fees.  Deletes
the requisite that a majority of the students voting in an election called
for the purpose of increasing a fee must approve the increase if it is for
more than $3 per fiscal year. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective beginning with the
1999 fall semester. 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.