SRC-DPW S.B. 1716 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1716
76R8362 JSA-FBy: Ellis
Higher Education
3/19/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Recently, the students of the University of Houston approved a fee to
create a recreational and wellness center on campus.  This bill would
authorize the University of Houston to levy a fee, not to exceed $75, in
order to create a recreational and wellness facility on campus. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1716 authorizes the board of regents of the University of
Houston System to impose a recreational and wellness facility fee at the
University of Houston. 

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 54.528, 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 (UH) 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.  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 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 semesters 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 pursuant to 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.  Authorizes the board to permit a person not enrolled
in UH 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.