MMA H.B. 2411 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HIGHER EDUCATION
H.B. 2411
By: Coleman
4-9-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

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. 

PURPOSE

H.B. 2411 allows 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. 

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 Section 54.522, Education Code, to read as follows:
Sec. 54.522.  STUDENT CENTER FEES; TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.
(a) Adds language that increases the maximum amount of a student fee to
$35 per long session and $17.50 for each term of the summer session for
the purpose of general operations and improvements to the student center.
Also adds language stating that a fee collected under this section is in
addition to any other use or service fee authorized to be levied.  
(b) Amends Subsection (b) by requiring the establishment of an account
known as "Texas Southern University Student Center Fee Account" to which
fees herein levied be deposited.  Requires this account to be under the
control of the student fee advisory committee (committee). Deletes
language regarding an additional student fee imposed before the fall
semester 1995, language requiring the approval by a student vote and
related provisions. 
(c) Mandates the committee to annually submit a complete itemized budget
for the student center with a complete report of all activities and
expenditures to the board of regents (board).  Allows the board to make
changes to the budget as they see fit.  Permits the board to levy the
student center fees for that year in amounts sufficient to meet the
budgetary needs of the student center after approving the budget, in
accordance with this section. 
(d) Prohibits the board from increasing the student center fee by more
than 10 percent in any academic year unless it is approved by a majority
of the students or student government. 
 (e) Prohibits a fee levied under this section to be considered in
determining the maximum student services fee that may be charged under
Section 54.503(b). 

SECTION 2. Effective with a fee imposed for a semester or summer session
that begins on or after the effective date of this Act.  Fees imposed
before the effective date of this Act are governed by previous law, which
will continue in effect for that purpose. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.