BILL ANALYSIS



S.B. 786
By: Ellis (Coleman)
April 21, 1995
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND

The University Center fee at the University of Houston was
authorized in 1987 and implemented in 1988.  It was established to
generate operating income and to address the problems of structural
neglect brought on by years of deferred maintenance at the center. 
The fee was capped at $15 per long semester and $7.50 for summer 
sessions.


PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 786 increases the University Center fees at the
University of Houston and places fees under the control of the
student fee advisory committee, which is required to submit to the 
president of the university a complete and itemized budget, to be
accompanied by a full and complete report of all activities and
expenditures.


RULEMAKING

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


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.526, Education Code, as follows:

   Sec.  54.526.  STUDENT FEES FOR UNIVERSITY CENTERS;  THE
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.  (a)  Authorizes the board of regents
(board) of the University of Houston System to levy a student union
fee (fee), not to exceed $35, rather than $15, for each regular
semester and not to exceed $17.50, rather than $7.50, per student
for each term of the summer session.  Provides that the sole
purpose of the fee is financing, constructing, operating,
maintaining, and improving a Student Union Building for the
University of Houston.

(b)  Requires such fees to be placed under the control of and
subject to the order of the student fees advisory committee
(committee) established under Section 54.5062, rather than the 
Student Service Fee Planning and Allocation Committee.  Requires
the committee to annually submit to the president of the University
of Houston, rather than the board, a complete and itemized budget
to be accompanied by a full and complete report of all activities
conducted during the past year and all expenditures made incident
thereto.  Requires an increase in the fee of more than 10 percent
from one academic year to the next to be approved by a majority
vote of the students voting in an election called for that purpose
or by a majority vote of the student government.  Deletes text
authorizing the board of regents to only levy a fee or increase an 
existing fee after a student referendum has been called on the
levying or increase in such a fee, and the majority of the students
voting in the referendum approve.

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with fees due
for the fall semester of 1995.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

S.B. 786 was considered by the committee in a formal meeting on
April 20, 1995.  

The bill was reported favorably without amendment, with the
recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of
5 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, 4 absent.