SRC-TAG S.B. 1514 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1514
By: Barrientos
Subcommittee on Higher Education
4/17/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

A substantial portion of the buildings and other facilities at The
University of Texas at Austin were constructed during 1950s through 1980s,
and now require significant repair and renovation. As proposed, S.B. 1514
permits the implementation of a fee to support the construction,
renovation, improvement, equipping, or maintaining of academic or research
facilities or to operate academic or research programs at The University
of Texas at Austin. 

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 Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding Section 51.5135,
as follows: 

Sec. 54.5135. [sic]  ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE FEE; THE
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN.    (a)  Authorizes the board of regents of
The University of Texas System (board) to charge each student enrolled at
The University of Texas at Austin an academic and research infrastructure
fee not to exceed $40 per semester credit hour to finance, construct,
renovate, improve, equip, or maintain academic or research facilities or
to operate academic or research programs at the university. 

(b)  Prohibits the fee described in Subsection (a) from being imposed
unless the board determines that it is necessary to maintain academic and
research excellence at the university or to insure that the academic and
research programs at the university remain competitive with peer
institutions or programs across the nation. 

(c)  Prohibits fee charged under this section from being considered in
determining the maximum amount of student services fees that may be
charged a student enrolled at the institution under Section 54.513. 

(d)  Provides that the funds collected under this section are
institutional funds as that term is defined by Section 51.009 and shall be
accounted for in that manner. 

(e)  Authorizes the board to pledge revenue from a fee imposed under this
section to pay an obligation issued under the revenue financing system of
The University of Texas System. 

(f)  Provides that the board is not required to set a uniform fee for all
students enrolled at the university but may set differential charges to
such students and in such a manner as the board deems to be in the best
interest of the university, if the board charges a fee under this section. 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with the fall
semester, 2003, notwithstanding any other provision of  law. 

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