BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 2212

79R10553 KSD-D                                                                                  By: Quintanilla (Shapleigh)

                                                                                                                    S/C on Higher Education

                                                                                                                                            5/16/2005

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current Texas law authorizes The University of Texas at El Paso to collect student union fees under Section 54.535, Education Code.  H.B. 2212 increases the cap on the student union fee from $30 per student, per semester, to $75 per student, per semester. 

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 54.535, Education Code, as follows:

 

Section 54.535.  STUDENT UNION FEE; THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO.  (a)  Increases the student union fee to a maximum of $75, rather than $30, per student for each regular semester or summer session of six weeks or more and to a maximum of $37.50, rather than $15, per student per summer session of less than six weeks.  Makes nonsubstantive changes.

 

(b)  Authorizes the board of regents, subject to the limits provided by Subsection (a), to increase the student union fee in order to provide sufficient funds to support the operation of the student union building.  Prohibits the student union fee from being increased from one academic year to the next by more than $3 per student for a regular semester or summer session of six weeks or more, or by more than $1.50 per student for a summer session of less than six weeks, unless the increase is approved by a majority vote of those students participating in a general student election called at the university for that purpose.

 

(c)  Authorizes the board of regents to pledge the student union fees imposed under this section to pay obligations issued pursuant to the revenue financing system of The University of Texas System.

 

(d)  Provides that a student union fee imposed under this section is in addition to any other fee the board of regents is authorized by law to impose and is prohibited from being considered in determining the maximum amount of student services fees that may be imposed under Section 54.503 (Student Services Fees).  Deletes existing text relating to the University of Texas at El Paso student union fee account. 

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective to the 2005 fall semester.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2005.