SRC-TAG S.B. 1546 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1546
By: Janek
Subcommittee on Higher Education
5/2/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 
 
Current law prohibits a laboratory fee charged by a community or junior
college from exceeding the cost of actual materials and supplies used by
the student.  The statute further limits the fee from exceeding $24, even
if the actual costs are significantly higher.  Consequently, the excess
cost  is either placed on the local property taxpayers or onto the overall
tuition charged to all students.  As proposed, S.B. 1546 eliminates the
$24 cap fee charged by a community or junior college, and requires that a
laboratory fee not exceed the cost of actual materials and supplies used
by the student.  

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 54.501(a), Education Code, to delete language
prohibiting a public  junior college  from charging a student at any one
semester or summer term a  laboratory fee in excess of $24.   

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