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.