H.B. 1537 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1537
By: Dukes
Higher Education
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

House Bill 1537 was created in order to honor two  Texas heros, Barbara
Jordan and Cesar Chavez, by erecting statues in their images on the
University of Texas at Austin campus, and to establish student
scholarships in their names. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

HB 1537 amends Subchapter E, Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding Section
54.5135 to authorize the board of regents of The University of Texas
System to charge and collect from students at the University of Texas at
Austin a $2 fee for any semester or summer session.  The bill provides
that the fee is to be used for the construction of the Barbara Jordan
statue and the Cesar Chavez statue to be located on the University of
Texas at Austin campus, and for the establishment of Barbara Jordan and
Cesar Chavez student scholarships.  The bill provides that the fee may not
be charged after August 31, 2007, and that the change in law made by this
Act applies beginning with the fees due for the 2003 fall semester. 

HB 1537 provides that the board shall deposit one-half of the revenue
generated from the fee into an account for the construction of the Barbara
Jordan statue, and that any excess funds are to be used to establish the
Barbara Jordan student scholarship.  The bill provides that the board
shall deposit the other half of the revenue generated from the fee into an
account for the construction of the Cesar Chavez statue, and that any
excess funds are to be used to establish the Cesar Chavez student
scholarship. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of
all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article
III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary
for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.