BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1912

By: Button

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The University of Texas at Dallas is anticipating the construction of a new student union building on the university's campus, as the university has seen significant growth in its enrollment, and additional spaces and services are needed to meet the demands of a growing student body. A referendum was issued to the student body to vote on the increase of student union fees per semester from $60 to $100, which received a majority vote in favor of the increase for the purposes of financing the construction. H.B. 1912 seeks to raise the maximum student union fee that The University of Texas at Dallas may charge a student to $100 per semester, which may be used for financing, constructing, operating, maintaining, and improving student union buildings for the university.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1912 amends the Education Code to raise the cap on the student union fee for student union buildings at The University of Texas at Dallas from $60 to $100 per student for each regular semester, and from $40 to $50 per student for each term of the summer session. The bill limits the authorized increase of the fee to 10 percent of the amount of the fee during the preceding academic year. The bill applies beginning with fees imposed for the 2024 fall semester.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.