By Maxey                                              H.B. No. 2053

         75R6481 CAG-D                           

                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

 1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to restrictions on the expenditures of funds for private

 1-3     club memberships by an institution of higher education.

 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 51, Education Code, is

 1-6     amended by adding Section 51.010 to read as follows:

 1-7           Sec. 51.010.  RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN PRIVATE CLUB

 1-8     EXPENDITURES.  (a)  An institution of higher education may not use

 1-9     any funds under the institution's control to:

1-10                 (1)  purchase a membership in a private club or pay the

1-11     dues, fees, or other charges or assessments, including initiation

1-12     fees, required for membership or a special privilege, status, or

1-13     membership classification in a private club; or

1-14                 (2)  reimburse an employee or officer of the

1-15     institution for the cost of membership in a private club, for the

1-16     dues, fees, or other charges or assessments, including initiation

1-17     fees, required for membership or a special privilege, status, or

1-18     membership classification in a private club, or for the cost of any

1-19     service provided to an employee or officer at a private club.

1-20           (b)  In this section, "private club" means a club or

1-21     organization that provides entertainment, recreational or athletic

1-22     facilities, food or dining facilities, or similar services or

1-23     facilities to its members and guests and that is not open to the

1-24     general public.

 2-1           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.

 2-2           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the

 2-3     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

 2-4     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

 2-5     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 2-6     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.