SRC-ARR S.B. 1763 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1763
By: Barrientos
Education
8/9/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law authorizes the University of Texas System to charge
certain fees. S.B. 1763 authorizes the University of Texas System to
increase the medical services fee at component institutions. 

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 1763 regulates fees charged at certain institutions of
higher education. 

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 54A, Education Code, by adding Section 54.010, as
follows: 

Sec. 54.010. PRORATION OF STUDENT FEE. Requires the governing board of an
institution of higher education to prorate the amount of the fee charged
for a term of the summer session of nine weeks or less based on the length
of the term, unless the statute authorizing the fee specifies a reduced fee
amount for that term, for a student fee authorized by this chapter to be
charged per academic semester or term, including a fee authorized to be
charged per semester credit hour.  

SECTION 2. Amends Section 54.50891, Education Code, by amending Subsections
(a) and (b) and adding Subsections (e), and (f) to authorize the board of
regents (board) of  the University of Texas System (system) to charge each
student registered at a component institution of the system a medical
services fee not  to exceed $55 for each semester or tern. Provides that
the maximum amount of the medical services fee that may be charged at a
component institution is increased to the amount stated on the ballot
proposition, not to exceed $75 for each semester or term, if approved by a
majority vote of those students participating in a general election held at
the institution for that purpose. Provides that approval at the election of
an increase in the maximum amount of the fee that may be charged at a
component institution does not affect the application of Subsection (e) to
an increase in the amount of the fee actually charged at that institution
from one academic year to the next. Requires the medical service fee
committee to approve the fee increase before increasing the fee.Prohibits
the board from increasing the amount of the fee charged at a component
institution of the University of Texas System by more than 10 percent from
one academic year to the next unless the increase is approved by a majority
of the students of the institution voting in a general election held at the
institution for that purpose. Requires the board to prorate the amount of a
fee charged to a student under this section based on the length of the
semester or term for which the student is enrolled. 

SECTION 3. Amends Sections 54.536(a), and (b) Education Code, to authorize
a fee to be used only for financing the renovation improvement, operation,
maintenance, or replacement of the student health center building at the
university or for operating the student health center. Authorizes the money
collected and placed in the account to be used only to finance and operate
the student health center. 

SECTION 4. Amends Sections 54.537(a) and (b), Education Code, to make
conforming changes. 
 
SECTION 5. Provides that this Act applies beginning with fees due for the
fall semester, 1999. 

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.
                      Effective date: upon passage.