BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                 C.S.S.B. 702

79R9967 JRJ-D                                                                                                                 By: Deuell

                                                                                                                    S/C on Higher Education

                                                                                                                                            3/15/2005

                                                                                                        Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Texas A&M-Commerce is planning to build a new student center.  A vote of the student body last fall authorized use of the student center complex fee for this construction.  All Texas A&M component institutions now fall under Section 54.52 (University Center Student Fee; Stephen F. Austin University), Education Code, which may not allow for the fee to be used for construction of entirely new student centers.  C.S.S.B. 702 allows the use of the student center complex fee for the construction of a student center at a component institution of The Texas A&M University System.

 

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 the heading to Section 54.521, Education Code, to read as follows:

 

Sec.  54.521.  STUDENT CENTER FACILITY FEES; TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.

 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 54.521(a), (b), (c), and (d), Education Code, as follows: (a)   Authorizes the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System (board) to levy a regular student fee on each student enrolled in an educational institution within The Texas A&M University System for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, renovating, adding to, replacing, and financing one or more student center facilities for the institution.  Deletes existing text relating to producing revenue for acquiring or constructing certain facilities. 

 

(b)  Makes a conforming change.

 

(c)  Requires the board to make changes in the budget it considers necessary before approving the budget, and to levy the fees in amounts sufficient to meet the approved budget, rather than the budgetary needs of the center.  Makes a conforming change.

 

(d)  Makes a conforming change.

 

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