MMA C.S.H.B. 3271 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


HIGHER EDUCATION
C.S.H.B. 3271
By: Berlanga
4-19-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND 

The student center complex at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) is too
small to properly accommodate the needs of its student body.  The current
student center has been in use for approximately twenty years.  TAMUCC has
an enrollment in excess of 6,000 students.  The funds generated from the
fee increase will enable TAMUCC to build a new student center complex
better equipped to meet the needs of the student body.   

PURPOSE

C.S.H.B. 3271 would authorize the board of regents of The Texas A&M
University System to increase the amount assessed as student center
complex fees. 

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 54.521 (a), Education Code, by increasing the
student service center complex fee that the board of regents of The Texas
A&M University System may levy to an amount not to exceed $40 per student
for each long session semester and $20 per student for each summer session
term. 

SECTION 2. Repeals Section 54.516, Education Code.

SECTION 3. States that the amendment to Section 54.521 (a) and the repeal
of Section 54.516, Education Code, applies only to fees levied at
institutions within The Texas A&M University System effective beginning
with the fall semester, 1997.  States that fees due prior to this law
being in effect are governed by the law in effect when those fees became
due. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3271 makes non-substantive form changes and technical corrections
to the original bill as recommended by the Legislative Council.