HBA-JLV H.B. 1023 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1023
By: Brown, Fred
Higher Education
3/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In April 2000, a majority of voting students voted to increase the cap on
the recreational sports fee at Texas A&M University.  The current cap on
the recreational sports fee is set at $50.  There is a projected need for
additional funding for the university's student recreational center due to
increased usage of the recreational facilities, anticipated increases in
student worker minimum wages, and a growing budget.  House Bill 1023
authorizes the Board of Regents of The Texas A&M University System to
charge an increased maximum recreational sports fee. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1023 amends the Education Code to increase the maximum
recreational sports fee that the board of regents of The Texas A&M
University System (board) are authorized to charge students within The
Texas A&M University System.  The bill increases the maximum authorized fee
from $50 to $100 for a semester or 12-week summer session, and from $25 to
$50 for a six-week summer session.  The bill prohibits the board from
increasing the recreational sports fee by more than 10 percent from one
academic year to the next unless the fee has bee approved by a majority
vote of the students at the affected institution participating in a general
election called for that purpose. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.