SRC-JJJ H.B. 1932 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 1932
76R12515 KEL-DBy: Maxey (Barrientos)
Higher Education
5/7/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, the student union fee at the University of Texas at Austin is
insufficient to meet the operation and maintenance needs of the facility.
H.B. 1932 would approve up to a 10 percent fee increase each semester not
to exceed a maximum of $33 each full semester and $16.50 for each summer
session, with a majority vote of the students.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1932 establishes the authority of the board of regents of
the University of Texas System to increase the student union fee at the
University of Texas at Austin. 

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 Section 54.530(a), Education Code, to prohibit a
compulsory fee from exceeding $33 for each regular session and $16.50 for
each term of each summer session, unless the board of regents of  the
University of Texas System (board) increases the amount as provided by this
subsection.  Requires the money collected from the fees to be deposited
into the Texas Union Fee Account.   Authorizes the board with the
concurrence of the Student Fees Advisory Committee, to increase the amount
of the fee if the increase is approved by a majority vote of the student
body. Prohibits the board from increasing the fee to an amount that is more
than $40 for each regular semester and $20 for each term of each summer
session.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Requires a three-member panel appointed and financed by the
office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Texas
at Austin to conduct an external review of the Texas Union to insure the
appropriate use of the student union fee imposed by Section 54.530,
Education Code.  Sets forth requirements for the review. Requires the
review panel to make recommendations to the Texas Union board of directors
on ways to improve facilities and operations, not later than May 1, 2000.
Requires the Vice President for Student Affairs to compile a list of seven
proposed members of the review panel, including certain experienced
individuals.  Prohibits the Vice President for Student Affairs from serving
on the review panel. Requires the Vice President for Student Affairs to
submit the list to a five-member student committee, which shall select
three persons from the list to constitute the review panel.  Requires the
student committee to select another person if a vacancy occurs on the
panel.  Provides that the student committee selections are final unless a
member is unable to serve, in which case a replacement must be selected.
Requires the Vice President for Student Affairs to submit additional names
to restore the list of members to seven if the list is less than five.
Establishes that this section expires on January 1, 2001.      
 
SECTION 3.  Provides that SECTION 1 of this Act applies beginning with the
1999 fall semester. Makes application of this Act prospective. 

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.
            Effective date: upon passage.