MMA H.B. 3125 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS HIGHER EDUCATION H.B. 3125 By: Davila 4-2-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Over the past several years, students at universities have strongly advocated for a voice in the selection process of food service providers. Currently, there is no effective, nor consistent means for students at state universities to offer input in a similar manner or on a continuing basis. Because students are often a captive market, it is imperative that students have a method to voice their consumer concerns. PURPOSE H.B. 3125 ensures that students have input in the process of selecting and extending the contracts of food service providers at state universities. 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 Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, by adding Section 51.945 to read as follows: Sec. 51.945. STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN SELECTION OF FOOD SERVICE CONTRACTS. (a) Directs institutions of higher education to develop and implement policies that provide the students with an opportunity to appear before any entity selecting a food service provider for the purpose of discussing performance of a provider and their recommendations for selection or retention. (b) Requires a food service provider to hold periodic meetings to provide students at an institution with an opportunity to discuss performance of the provider. (c) Defines "food service provider," "governing board," and "institution of higher education." SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. Applies only to contracts entered into on or after the effective date of this Act. Allows for current contracts to remain in effect under the previous law. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.