HBA-MPM S.B. 1716 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1716
By: Ellis
Higher Education
4/30/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Recently, the students of the University of Houston approved a fee to
create a recreational and wellness center on campus.  S.B. 1716 authorizes
the University of Houston to levy a fee, not to exceed $75 per semester, in
order to create a recreational and wellness facility on campus. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 54E, Education Code, by adding Section 54.528,
as follows:  

Sec. 54.528.  RECREATIONAL FACILITY FEE; THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.
Authorizes the board of regents of the University of Houston System (board)
to charge students enrolled in the University of Houston (university) a fee
not to initially exceed $75 per semester, to finance, construct, and
operate a student wellness and recreational facility (facility).
Authorizes the board to prorate the amount of the fee for the summer
session. Prohibits the fee from being imposed without the approval of a
majority vote of the student body, and prohibits the fee from being imposed
in a semester or session before the facility is available for use.
Authorizes the board to increase the amount of the fee, and prohibits the
board from increasing the fee more than 10 percent between academic years
without approval from a majority vote by the student body.  Requires the
board to deposit the revenue from the fee in an account known as the
recreational and wellness facility account. Authorizes the board to pledge
revenue from the fee to pay obligations issued under the revenue financing
system of the University of Houston System.  Prohibits a fee imposed from
being considered in determining the maximum amount of student services fees
that may be charged under Section 54.503 (Student Services Fees), Education
Code.  Authorizes the board to permit a person not enrolled in the
university to use a facility financed with revenue from a fee imposed under
this section if certain circumstances exist.  

SECTION 2.   Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1999 fall
semester.  

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