SRC-MWN, CTC C.S.S.B. 1626 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1626
By: Armbrister
Education
4/20/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

C.S.S.B. 1626 allows the Texas State University System to charge each
student at Southwest Texas State University a $1 environmental service fee
if a majority of the student body approve this measure in an election vote
and sets forth provisions regarding the authorization to increase 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) 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 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. 

(b) Authorizes the board, not more than once in an academic 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, where a
minimum of 1000 student voters participate, 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). 

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 As Filed S.B. 1626 by amending proposed text pertaining to the vote
approving the imposition or increase of an environmental service fee.
Removes proposed text pertaining to a procedure that allows students to not
pay the fee.  Makes a conforming change.