SRC-HRD H.B. 2411 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2411 By: Coleman (Ellis) Finance 5-5-97 Engrossed DIGEST The student center at Texas Southern University serves as the hub of campus life for the University family--students, faculty, administration, alumni and guests. The building houses a cafeteria, snack bar, ice cream shop, bookstore, offices of Student Activities, Student Government Association, University Program Council, Student Publications, barber shop, beauty shop, student lounges, a game room, and meeting rooms. Constructed in 1974 to accommodate a student population of approximately 7,000, the building is in need of resources to provide for timely maintenance and improvements to address the demands of the current clientele. The age of the building, along with the increased cost of goods and services, have created a demand for increased funds to routinely operate, improve, and maintain the student center. H.B. 2411 would allow an increase in student center fees at Texas Southern University to meet the current demands of the student center. Student center fees would be used solely for the purpose of operating, maintaining, equipping, improving, and acquiring or constructing additions to the student center. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2411 allows an increase in student center fees at Texas Southern University to meet the current demands of the Student Center. In addition, this bill provides that student center fees be used solely for the purpose of operating, maintaining, equipping, improving and acquiring or constructing additions to the student center. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 54.522, Education Code, to provide that a fee collected under this section is in addition to any other use or service fee authorized to be levied. Requires the fees collected under this section to be deposited to the credit of an account known as the "Texas Southern University Student Center Fee Account" and to be under the control of the student fee advisory committee established under Section 54.5031. Deletes existing Subsection (b) regarding a student vote. Requires the student fee advisory committee annually to submit to the board of regents of Texas Southern University a complete and itemized budget for the student center with a complete report of all student center activities conducted during the past year and all expenditures made in connection with those activities. Authorizes the board of regents to make changes in the budget that the board determines are necessary. Authorizes the board of regents, after approving the budget, in accordance with this section, to levy the student center fees for that year in amounts sufficient to meet the budgetary needs of the student center. Prohibits the board from increasing the amount of the student center fee by more than 10 percent in any academic year unless the amount of the increase is approved by a majority of the students voting in an election held for that purpose or by a majority of the student government of the institution. Prohibits a fee levied under this section from being considered in determining the maximum student services fee that may be charged under Section 54.503(b). SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.