SRC-TAG C.S.S.B. 334 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 334 78R9418 JRJ-FBy: Staples Subcommittee on Higher Education 4/1/2003 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) lacks sufficient funds to upgrade its student center. SFA has not significantly updated its student union since the 1979-1980 school year, and students have expressed a desire to upgrade the facility. C.S.S.B. 334 allows Stephen F. Austin State University to increase its student center fee in order to facilitate the renovation of its student center, contingent on approval by a vote of the student body. 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 Section 54.520, Education Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (d), as follows: (a) Authorizes the board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State University, to the extent approved by the students under Subsection (b), to charge each student enrolled in one or more courses conducted by the university, rather than on the main campus of the university, a fee in the amount of $9 for each semester credit hour, a regular fixed fee not to exceed in a total amount of least $35 but not to exceed $85 rather than $15, per student for each semester or the summer session, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, renovating, operating, maintaining, improving, equipping, and financing a university center or additions to the center. Deletes text regarding the long session and that the fees of each six-week term should not exceed $7.50 per student. Deletes text authorizing a change in the fee amount at any time within the specified limits. Makes a nonsubstantive change. (b) Requires the decision to levy a fee under this section to be approved by a majority of votes from the students participating in a general election called for that purpose. Deletes text requiring the amount of the initial fee and any increase in the fee to be approved by the students in a vote. Makes a nonsubstantive change. (d) Authorizes the board of regents to increase the fee charged under this section at any time, in order to ensure sufficient money to support the university center, except that the amount of fee may not increase by more than 10 percent from one academic year to the next unless the increase has been approved by a majority of the students participating in a general election called for that purpose. SECTION 2. 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. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Differs from original Section 54.520(a) by deleting the phrase "this section." Differs from original Section 54.520(a) by changing the fee amount to be charged for the semester. Differs from original Section 54.520(b) by deleting the phrase "the amount of the initial fee." Differs from original proposed Section 54.520(d) by deleting the phrase "within the applicable maximum amount provided by Subsection (a).