C.S.H.B. 1817 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 1817 By: Ritter Higher Education Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The components of Texas State University System assess various fees for services for students provided by the university. Several components are at the cap or near the cap on the amount that can be assessed yet have increasing costs and demand for these student services. Institutions within the Texas State University System affected by the bill are: Angelo State University, Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College - Orange, Lamar State College - Port Arthur, Sam Houston State University, Southwest Texas State University, Sul Ross State University and Sul Ross State University - Rio Grande College. The bill gives flexibility to those component institutions who have increasing costs associated with specific services, but does not require the increase of any fee. The bill would ensure that medical services, bus service, the student center and recreational sports continue to be adequately funded across the System. 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 CSHB 1817 amends Sections 54.5089, 54511, 54.523 and 54.538, Education Code to authorizes the board of regents of the Texas State University System to charge each student registered at a component institution of the Texas State University System a medical services fee, not to exceed $100, rather than $55 for each semester of the regular term or 12-week summer session and $50, rather than $25 for each six-week or shorter term of the summer session. The bill provides that the student fees for bus service at the Texas State University System may not exceed $100, rather than $46 per semester, or $50, rather than $23 per six-week summer term. The bill provides that student center fees at the Texas State University System may not exceed $100, rather than $70 per semester, or $50, rather than $35 per six-week summer term. The bill provides that the recreational sports fee at the Texas State University System may not exceed $100, rather than $50 per semester or 10week summer session, or $50, rather than $25 per five-week summer term. The bill 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 this Act. 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. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute conforms the original to Texas Legislative Council style and format.