BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 283

79R3240 JRJ-F                                                                                                                 By: Staples

                                                                                                                    S/C on Higher Education

                                                                                                                                            3/10/2005

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The students of Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) have voted to authorize an increase in fees to provide a new recreational facility on campus.  As proposed, S.B. 283 authorizes SFA to charge each student enrolled in the university a student recreation fee not to exceed $120 per regular semester or $60 for each six-week or shorter term of the summer session.  The fee may only be used for constructing, operating, maintaining, improving, and equipping a dedicated student recreational facility and a recreation sports program at the university.   

 

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 Subchapter E, Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding Section 54.5201, as follows:

 

            Sec. 54.5201.  RECREATIONAL SPORTS FEE; STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State University to charge each student enrolled at the university a recreational sports fee not to exceed $120 per semester or a summer session of longer than six weeks or $60 per summer session of six weeks or less.  Authorizes the fee to be used to purchase equipment for and to construct, operate, and maintain recreational sports facilities and programs. 

 

                        (b) Prohibits the recreation fee from being increased more than 10 percent from one academic year to the next unless the increase has been approved by a majority vote of those students participating in a general student election called for that purpose.  Prohibits the fee from exceeding the amounts provided by Subsection (a). 

 

                        (c) Requires the chief fiscal officer of the university to collect the student recreational sports fee and deposit the money collected in an account to be known as the student recreational sports account. 

 

                        (d) Provides that a student recreational sports fee imposed is not counted in determining the maximum student services fee that may be charged under Section 54.503 (Student Services Fees).    

 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective. 

 

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