By:  Janek                                                        S.B. No. 1546


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the limitation on a laboratory charge that may be set by 
a public junior college.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 54.501(a), Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:
	(a)  An institution of higher education shall set and collect 
a laboratory charge in an amount sufficient to cover in general the 
cost of laboratory materials and supplies used by a student.  For an 
institution other than a public junior college, the laboratory 
charge shall be not less than $2 nor more than $30 for any one 
semester or summer term for any student in any one laboratory 
course, but shall not exceed the cost of actual materials and 
supplies used by the student.  For a public junior college, the 
laboratory charge shall [be not more than $24 for any one semester 
or summer term for any student in any one laboratory course, but 
shall] not exceed the cost of actual materials and supplies used by 
the student.
	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.