LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
                              Austin, Texas
                                     
                    FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session
  
                              March 27, 2001
  
  
          TO:  Honorable Irma Rangel, Chair, House Committee on Higher
               Education
  
        FROM:  John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board
  
       IN RE:  HB2531  by Junell (Relating to tuition rates at public
               institutions of higher education.), As Introduced
  
**************************************************************************
*  Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for    *
*  HB2531, As Introduced:  positive impact of $26,032,628 through the    *
*  biennium ending August 31, 2003.                                      *
**************************************************************************
  
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
          ****************************************************
          *  Fiscal Year  Probable Net Positive/(Negative)   *
          *               Impact to General Revenue Related  *
          *                             Funds                *
          *       2002                                   $0  *
          *       2003                           26,032,628  *
          *       2004                           52,065,256  *
          *       2005                           78,097,884  *
          *       2006                          104,130,512  *
          ****************************************************
  
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
  
***************************************************************************
*Fiscal    Probable Savings/(Cost) from    Probable Revenue Gain/(Loss)   *
* Year         General Revenue Fund            from Estimated Other       *
*                      0001               Educational and General Income  *
*                                             Account/ GR-Dedicated       *
*                                                      0770               *
*  2002                                $0                              $0 *
*  2003                        26,032,628                      26,032,628 *
*  2004                        52,065,256                      52,065,256 *
*  2005                        78,097,884                      78,097,884 *
*  2006                       104,130,512                     104,130,512 *
***************************************************************************
  
Fiscal Analysis
  
The bill increases the resident tuition rate charged by  general academic
teaching institutions (universities) by $2.00 per semester credit hour
each academic year until the rate reaches a maximum rate of $60.00.  The
current rate is $40.00 and the rate increase of $2.00 increments would
begin in academic year 2002-2003.

The bill authorizes universities to charge an additional amount for
designated tuition (formerly called "building use fee") equal to the
rates above.  These amounts would be considered institutional funds.

The bill would remove the current minimum tuition charge of $120 for each
semester.
  
  
Methodology
  
Based on information provided by universities in their Legislative
Appropriation Request, the estimated increase in tuition revenue for
fiscal year 2003 is $26,032,628.  This amount does not include any
adjustments for projected changes in enrollment.  Based on the
methodology used for tuition exemption fiscal notes, it is assumed that
additional tuition revenue as result of the increases above $40 per
semester credit hour would result in a corresponding decrease in general
revenue appropriations to the universities.

Universities would also realize additional revenue for increases in
designated tuition rates (formerly called "building use fee").  However,
these amounts are not appropriated and would not impact General Revenue.
  
  
Local Government Impact
  
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
  
  
Source Agencies:   752   University of North Texas, 783   University of
                   Houston System Administration, 768   Texas Tech
                   University System, 720   The University of Texas
                   System, 758   Texas State University System, 710
                   The Texas A&M University System, 781   Texas Higher
                   Education Coordinating Board
LBB Staff:         JK, CT, DB