H.B. 1650 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 1650
By: Mercer
Higher Education
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

On February 7, 2003, students at the University of Texas-San Antonio voted
to approve an increase in the Student Union fee and the Recreational
Facility fee.  With more than 3,100 electronic ballots submitted, students
voted to approve a fee increase to support enhanced programs at the
Recreation and Wellness Center and a $25 million expansion to the
University Center. 

The original University Center (UC) was completed in 1986 with 97,000
square feet added in 1996. Despite the increase, the UC has been unable to
keep up with current demands for use of space, turning away over 100
student organizations reservations request each month. As more students
chose to participate in campus life, the current space for student
organization has become inadequate. Some traditional campus wide programs
have outgrown current facilities on the 1604 campus. Dining space
operations and concepts need to be expanded to meet the needs of the
ever-growing student population. 

The increased Recreational Facility fee is necessary to maintain and
possibly expand the current hours of operation for the recreation center
at one of the state's fastest growing universities. Additional funds will
assist staff to add programming and services, such as outdoor adventure
activities; club sports teams, fitness classes, intramural sports
activities and special events. 

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

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 54.532(a), Education Code to increase the
maximum amount to be charged for the student union fee at The University
of Texas-San Antonio from $75 to $150. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 54.543, Education Code by amending Subsection
(a) and adding Subsection (g), as follows: 

(a) Provides for an increase in the recreational facility fee that can be
charged to a student at  The University of Texas-San Antonio.  Prohibits
the fee from exceeding $100. 

(g)  Provides that the board may not increase the amount of the
recreational facility  fee by more than 10 percent in any academic year
without approval by a majority of the students participating in a general
student election for that purpose. 

SECTION 3.  Provides that the change in law made by this Act applies only
to fees imposed for a semester or term that begins on or after the
effective date of the Act. 

SECTION 4.  Provides that the Act takes immediate effect upon passage, or,
if the Act does not receive the  necessary vote, the Act takes effect
September 1, 2003. 

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.