MMA S.B. 1776 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS HIGHER EDUCATION S.B. 1776 By: Lucio (Hinojosa) 5-8-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, Chapters 54 and 55, Education Code, provide for two types of tuition and fees, which may be categorized as "mandatory" and "discretionary." Mandatory fees must be charged to all students, while discretionary fees may be either "voluntary" or "compulsory." A voluntary fee is charged to those students who use the student service. A compulsory fee is charged to all students enrolled at an institution. PURPOSE S.B. 1776 authorizes the governing board of an institution of higher education to exempt a student who is an employee of the institution from the payment of all or any portion of a compulsory or voluntary fee imposed by the institution granting the exemption. 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 E, Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding Section 54.546, as follows: Sec. 54.546. EMPLOYEE EXEMPTION FROM STUDENT FEES. (a) Authorizes the governing board of an institution of higher education to exempt a student who is an employee of the institution from the payment of all or any portion of a compulsory or voluntary fee imposed by the institution granting the exemption. (b) Defines "compulsory fee" and "voluntary fee." SECTION 2. Emergency clause.