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).