SRC-CTC H.B. 1024 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1024
77R3415 QS-FBy: Brown, Fred (Ogden)
Education
5/3/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the student center complex fee for the funding of the operation,
maintenance, improvement, and equipment of The Texas A&M University student
center complex (complex) cannot exceed $40 per student for each semester or
$20 per student for each summer session or partial session term.  The
current project budget for the complex is funded by revenue from the use of
the complex and the student center complex fee.  Raising the cap on the fee
may allow for funding growth as well as possible renovation and expansion
of the complex.  H.B. 1024 authorizes the board of regents of The Texas A&M
University System to raise the maximum 
student center complex fee. 

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 Section 54.521, Education Code, to authorize the board
of regents of the Texas A&M University System (board) to set fees in
amounts it considers just and necessary but not to exceed $100, rather than
$40, per student for each semester for the long session and not to exceed
$50, rather than $20, per student for each term of the summer session, or
any fractional part of a session.  Deletes wording relating to an increase
in the fee.  Prohibits the fee authorized by this section from being
increased by more than 10 percent from one academic year to the next unless
the increase has been approved by a majority vote of the students at the
affected institution participating in a general election called for that
purpose.  Prohibits the fee from exceeding the maximum amounts provided by
the section.  Requires the president of each institution in the system to
establish a formal system for soliciting and receiving student comment with
respect to matters of construction and operation of a facility or program
financed by a fee charged under this section. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective to a semester or term
that begins on or after the effective date of this Act. 

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