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


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 1024
By: Brown, Fred (Ogden)
Education
5/8/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


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 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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from the original by removing proposed text relating to the
increase of a fee by more than 10 percent.