SRC-JEC S.B. 1542 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1542
By: Shapiro
Education
4/4/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, colleges and universities have limited options in situations of
budget shortfall.  As proposed, S.B. 1542 allows schools to charge more
for "designated tuition," one of the many elements of a university's fee
and tuition structure.  It also allows an institution's governing body to
set different tuition rates for different programs and for certain
purposes. 

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 54.0513(b), Education Code, to authorize a
governing board of an institution of higher education, in addition to
amounts that is authorizes [sic] to charge as tuition under the provisions
of this chapter, to charge as designated tuition in an academic year an
amount not to exceed three times that amount charged under Sections 54.051
or 54.0512, as applicable, in that academic year.  Authorizes a governing
body, under this section, to set a different tuition rate for each program
offered by each institution of higher education.  Also authorizes a
governing board to set a different tuition rate to increase graduation
rates, to encourage efficient facilities utilization, and to enhance
employee performance.  

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.