SRC-CTC C.S.H.B. 467 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 467
77R15034 QS-DBy: Solomons (Nelson)
Education
5/3/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Student Health Service of Texas Woman's University (university)
provides ambulatory health care and preventative health services to
students.  Current law places a cap of $30 on the amount the university may
charge to students each semester for the medical services fee.  The medical
fee charged each semester by the university covers a majority of the
Student Health Services annual expenses.  The university expects an
increase in health service costs due to such factors as the rising prices
of medical supplies and pharmaceuticals and the need to fund state mandated
adjustments in staff salaries. C.S.H.B. 467 increases the maximum amount of
the medical services fee that may be charged each semester at the
university. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 54.5085(a) and (b), Education Code, to increase
the maximum allowed medical services fee the board of regent of Texas
Woman's University (board) is authorized to charge each registered student
from $30 to $55 for each semester of the regular term or 12-week summer
session and from $15 to $25 for each six-week of shorter term of the summer
session. Authorizes the board to increase the amount of the fee by an
amount that is more than 10 percent of the amount imposed in the preceding
academic year only if that increase is approved by a majority vote of those
students of the university participating in a general election called for
that purpose.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective to the 2001 fall
semester. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends Engrossed H.B. 467 by adding proposed text relating to the
imposition of a fee increase.