78R1915 JSA-D

By:  Ogden                                                        S.B. No. 665



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of certain institutions of higher 
education to charge tuition and student fees.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 54, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 54.0031 to read as follows:
	Sec. 54.0031.  EXPIRATION OF AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE TUITION AND 
STUDENT FEES.  (a)  A general academic teaching institution, as 
defined by Section 61.003, may not impose, charge, or collect 
tuition or a fee authorized by this title from any student enrolled 
at the institution for a term or semester that begins on or after 
September 1, 2005.
	(b)  This section does not apply to a charge or fee for goods 
or services that are not provided as part of the institution's 
academic program, such as a charge for housing or food service or 
for attendance at athletic or cultural events, unless every student 
not exempted by law from payment of the charge or fee who registers 
at the institution is required to pay the charge or fee.
	SECTION 2.  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.