BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                    C.S.H.B. 1063

                                                                                                                                         By: Oliveira

                                                                                                                                Higher Education

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this bill is to allow the board of regents of The University of Texas System to impose a fee to fund a wellness, recreational, and fitness complex at The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.  The complex would be made up of gymnasiums, weight training areas, racquetball courts, a climbing wall, multipurpose rooms, a lap pool, lockers, athletic fields, a wellness center, and administrative support areas.  The existence of such facilities would not only make The University more attractive to prospective students, but it would also provide fitness opportunities that have been lacking for current students.  Along with these benefits, access to a wellness center would inevitably lead to improved overall health of the entire campus community at The University Of Texas At Brownsville.      

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1 -  Subchapter E, Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 54.550 to allow the University Of Texas System to impose a fee not to exceed $79 per student for each regular semester of enrollment and not to exceed $39.50 per student for each term of summer session enrollment in order to fund a wellness, recreational, and fitness complex at UTB/TSC.

 

SECTION 2 - This Act applies beginning with the 2005 fall semester.

 

SECTION 3 - Effective date.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This Act takes effect immediately if it receives two-thirds vote approval of all members elected to each house.  Otherwise, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

 

The substitute corrects a typographical error in the original bill.  The original bill sets the fee at exactly $79.00 per semester and $39.50 per summer session.  The substitute allows the school to charge up to $79.00 per semester and $39.50 per summer session.  The effective date is changed to September 1, 2005 from September 1, 2004.