SRC-JJJ S.B. 947 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 947
76R5829 KEL-DBy: Barrientos
Higher Education
3/18/1999
As Filed


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.
S.B. 947 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, S.B. 947 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 to increase the
amount of the fee, with the concurrence of the Student Fees Advisory
Committee, by no more than 10 percent of the amount imposed in the
preceding academic year.  Authorizes the board to increase the amount of
the fee to an amount that is no more than 10 percent of the amount imposed
in the preceding academic year if theat increase is approved by a majority
of the votes of students in a general election.  Prohibits the board from
increasing the fee to an amount that is more than $40 more for each regular
semester and $20 for each term of each summer session.  Makes conforming
changes. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1999 fall
semester.  Makes application of this Act prospective. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
            Effective date: upon passage.