SRC-HRD S.B. 1776 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1776 By: Lucio Finance 4-13-97 As Filed DIGEST 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. This bill would grant the governing board of an institution of higher education the authority to waive all or any portion of a compulsory or voluntary fee for an employee of the concurrent institution. PURPOSE As proposed, 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 This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 54E, Education Code, by adding Section 54.546, as follows: Sec. 54.546. EMPLOYEE EXEMPTION FROM STUDENT FEES. 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. Defines "compulsory fee" and "voluntary fee." SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.