SRC-JJJ C.S.S.B. 947 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 947
76R5829 KEL-DBy: Barrientos
Higher Education
3/30/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)
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.
C.S.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, C.S.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 $50 more for each regular
semester and $30 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 the first day of the
2000 fall semester. Requires the Vice President for Student Affairs to
compile a list of seven proposed members 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.
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES
SECTION 1.
Amends Section 54.530(a), Education Code, to prohibit the board from
increasing the fee to an amount that is more than $50 for each regular
semester and $30 for each summer session term.
SECTION 2.
Sets forth the composition of and the requirements for members of a review
panel charged by the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University
of Texas at Austin to conduct an external review of and make
recommendations on appropriate use of the student union fee to the board of
directors with regard to operations of the Texas Union. Renumbers
subsequent SECTIONS.