SRC-DPW S.B. 758 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 758
76R1201 JSA-FBy: Duncan
Higher Education
3/19/1999
As Filed


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.  This bill would
allow 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, S.B. 758 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 Texas University 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 purposes 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 to be placed in the University of Texas of
the Permian Basin student union account, under the control of the student
union advisory committee (committee). Requires the committee to submit a
complete itemized budget, including activities conducted the previous year,
to be later submitted to the board  for necessary changes and approval
including the imposition of a fee to meet the budgetary 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 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.