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


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1763
By: Barrientos
Education
4/1/1999
Committee Report (Substitute)


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 proposed, 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 Section 54.50891, Education Code, by amending Subsection
(a) and adding Subsection (e), 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 $70, rather than $55, for each semester of the regular term.
Requires a majority of  the medical services fee committee at the
University of Texas at Austin (university) to approve the fee increase.
Provides that if, in an academic year, the fee charged each student under
this section is more than 10 percent higher than the previous year's fee,
the increase is not effective unless approved by a majority vote of the
students voting in an election held for that purpose or by a majority vote
of the duly elected student government. Requires the board to prorate the
fee allowed under this section based on the length of semester or term for
which the student is enrolled. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 54.536(a), 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. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 54.537(a), Education Code, to make a conforming
change. 

SECTION 4. Provides that this Act applies beginning with fees due for the
fall semester, 1999. 

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.
                      Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1. 

Deletes proposed SECTION 1 (Section 54.011, Education Code) regarding the
authority to prorate fees, and renumbers subsequent SECTIONS accordingly.