By:  Barrientos                                                   S.B. No. 1514


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

Relating to the creation of an academic and research infrastructure 
fee at the University of Texas at Austin.
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding 
Section 51.5135, to read as follows:
	Sec. 51.5135.  ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE FEE; THE 
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN.  (a)  The board of regents of The 
University of Texas System may 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)  The fee described in subsection (a) may not be imposed 
unless the board of regents 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)  A fee charged under this section may not be 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)  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)  The board of regents may 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)  If the board of regent charges a fee under this section, 
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.
	SECTION 2.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this 
Act applies beginning with the fall semester, 2003.
	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.