HBA-MPM H.B. 2302 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2302
By: Green
Higher Education
3/18/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Southwest Texas State Students Association, through resolution, has
requested that bus services be expanded at Southwest Texas State University
in San Marcos.  To facilitate this expansion, the university has requested
an increase in bus service fees.  H.B. 2302 provides that an increase in a
student fee at the university for the purpose of covering increased
operating costs of the bus service must be approved by a two-thirds vote of
students participating in a general election and prohibits the total fee
from exceeding $46 per semester or $23 per six-week summer term. 

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 Section 54.511(b), Education Code, to provide that any
increase in a student fee at Southwest Texas State University for the
purpose of covering increased operating costs of the bus service must be
approved by a two-thirds vote, rather than a majority vote, of those
students participating in a general election called for that purpose.
Prohibits the total fee from exceeding $46, rather than $30, per semester,
or $23, rather than $15, per six-week summer term. 

SECTION 2.  Makes the change in law made by this Act applicable beginning
with fees imposed in the 1999 fall semester. 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: 90 days upon adjournment.