MMA H.B. 65 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HIGHER EDUCATION
H.B. 65
By: Kamel
4-9-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, when a public university or junior college raises the tuition
and/or fees after students have registered for the semester, the
institution may charge students the higher rate.  This presents a
disservice to students who make plans to pay a certain amount and later
are charged extra for tuition or fee increases unknown to students either
before or at the time of their registration.  

PURPOSE

H.B. 65 prohibits a public institution of higher education from charging a
student higher tuition rates or fees for a given semester if that student
registered before the university set higher rates. 

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. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding
Section 54.009, to read as follows: 
Sec. 54.009.  INCREASE IN TUITION RATE OR FEES.  Prohibits an institution
of higher education from increasing tuition or fees charged to a student
after they have registered for a semester or summer term, regardless of
whether they have paid or not. 

SECTION 2. Effective beginning with tuition and fees due for the fall
semester of 1997. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.