78R8822 T

By:  Rangel                                                       H.B. No. 2457


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an intercollegiate athletics fee at Texas A&M University--Kingsville. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 54.5392 to read as follows: Sec. 54.5392. INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS FEE; TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY--KINGSVILLE. (a) The board of regents of The Texas A&M University System may impose an intercollegiate athletics fee on each student enrolled at Texas A&M University--Kingsville. The fee may not be imposed unless approved by a majority vote of the students participating in a general student election held at the university for that purpose. (b) The amount of the fee may not exceed $12 per semester credit hour for each semester or summer session, unless the amount is increased as provided by Subsection (c). (c) The amount of the fee per semester credit hour may be increased from one academic year to the next only if approved by a majority vote of the students participating in a general student election held for that purpose or, if the amount of the increase does not exceed five percent, by a majority vote of the legislative body of the student government of the university. (d) A student enrolled in more than 13 semester credit hours shall pay the fee in an amount equal to the amount imposed on a student enrolled in 13 semester credit hours during the same semester or session. (e) A fee imposed under this section may be used to develop and maintain an intercollegiate athletics program at the university. (f) A fee imposed under this section is in addition to any other fee authorized by law and may not be considered in determining the maximum amount of student services fees that may be imposed under Section 54.503(b). (g) If the imposition of a mandatory intercollegiate athletics fee as described by this section was approved by a majority vote of the students of the university participating in a general student election held on or after January 1, 2002, the board of regents may impose the fee as prescribed by the results of the election without calling an additional election. This subsection expires January 1, 2005. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2003 fall semester. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.