SRC-AMY H.B. 2379 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2379
78R7899 JRJ-FBy: Hill (Shapiro)
Subcommittee on Higher Education
5/16/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the The University of Texas at Dallas (UT-Dallas) assesses a
recreation fee which is limited to $40 for each student for a semester of
the regular term or a 12-week summer session and $26.67 for each student
for an eight-week summer session.  The current fee structure does not
address increased utility costs and additional staffing needs based on
usage and security demands.  Nor does the current fee support a facility
expansion.  The student senate at UT-Dallas voted to hold an election to
authorize the board of regents of The University of Texas System to levy a
mandatory recreation fee, not to exceed $65 for each student for a
semester of the regular term or a 12-week or longer summer session, and
$43.33 for each student for a summer session of less than 12 weeks. The
UT-Dallas student body voted to approve the measure.  H.B. 2379 authorizes
the board of regents of The University of Texas System to impose this fee
structure. 

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 Sections 54.544 (b) and (c), Education Code, as follows:

(b) Prohibits a recreational facility fee from exceeding $65, rather than
$40, for each student for a semester of the regular term or a summer
session of 12 weeks or longer, rather than 12 weeks, and from exceeding
$43.33, rather than 26.67, for each student for a summer session of less
than 12 weeks, rather than an eight-week summer session. 

(c) Prohibits a recreational facility fee from being charged or increased
by more than 10 percent unless charging or increasing the fee is approved
by a majority vote of the students participating in a general student
election called for that purpose, or a majority vote of the legislative
body of the institution's student government. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.