SRC-JJJ H.B. 229 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 229 76R1201 JSA-FBy: West (Duncan) Higher Education 3/19/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, the University of Texas of the Permian Basin does not have centralized student union facilities for its student population. Students have proposed that a centralized student union with standard amenities be built. A proposal for the fee required to develop the student union passed on a student referendum ballot by a two-to-one margin. H.B. 229 allows the University of Texas System board of regents to impose a student union fee for the purpose of financing, constructing, and improving a student union facility. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 229 authorizes the board of regents of the University of Texas System to impose student union fees to establish and operate a student union facility for the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. 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 54.533, as follows: Sec. 54.533. STUDENT UNION FEES; THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of the University of Texas System (board) to impose a student union fee not to exceed $50 per student per semester and not to exceed $39 without a majority vote in a general student election, for the purpose of establishing and operating a student union facility for the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Provides that the fee is in addition to any other fees authorized to be imposed and may be prorated for summer sessions. (b) Requires revenue collected from the fee to be placed in the University of Texas of the Permian Basin student union fee account, under the control of the student union advisory committee (committee). Requires the committee to submit annually a complete itemized budget to the precinct of the university (president), including activities conducted the previous year. Requires the precinct to submit the budget to the board as part of the institutional budget. Requires the board to make changes in the budget and to impose the fee in amounts sufficient to meet the needs of the student union facility. (c) Authorizes the board to pledge fees to pay obligations issued pursuant to the revenue financing system of the University of Texas System. (d) Prohibits a fee from being may not be imposed during a semester in which the student union facility is not available for student use. SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the fall semester of 1999. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.