SRC-MWN, CTC S.B. 1626 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1626 77R8654 KSD-DBy: Armbrister Education 4/16/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1626 allows the Texas State University System to charge each student at Southwest Texas State University a $1 environmental service fee if two-thirds of the student body approve this measure in an election vote. S.B. 1626 also sets forth provisions regarding the authorization to increase the fee and related procedures for students who choose not to pay the 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 Chapter 54E, Education Code, by adding Section 54.5111, as follows: Sec. 54.5111. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICE FEE; SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of the Texas State University System (board), subject to Subsection (f), to charge each student enrolled at Southwest Texas State University an environmental service fee in an initial amount not to exceed $1 per semester of the regular term or term of the summer session. Prohibits the fee from being imposed unless approved by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the students at the university voting in an election held for that purpose at the same time and using the same ballot as a student government election. (b) Authorizes the board, not more than once a year, to increase the amount of the fee authorized by this section to cover increased operating costs of environmental services funded from revenue from the fee. Prohibits the board from increasing the amount of the fee unless the increase is approved by a majority vote of the students at the university voting in an election held for that purpose at the same time and using the same ballot as a student government election. Prohibits the total amount of the increased fee from exceeding certain amounts. (c) Authorizes a fee imposed under this section to be used only to provide environmental improvements at the university through certain services. (d) Prohibits the university from using revenue from the fee imposed under this section to reduce or replace other money allocated by the university for environmental projects. (e) Requires the university to retain any fee revenue that exceeds the amount necessary to cover current operating expenses for environmental services and any interest generated from that revenue. Authorizes the university to use the excess revenue and interest generated from the revenue only for the purposes provided by Subsection (c). (f) Requires the university to establish a procedure for a student at the time of registration to elect not to pay an environmental service fee imposed under this section. Requires the procedure to provide fair notice to each student of the purpose of the fee and the student's opportunity to elect not to pay the fee. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to the 2001 fall semester. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.