BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 868
80R11030 TAD-F By: Haggerty (Shapleigh)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is poised for continued growth over the next decade, having already reached a student population of over 19,800. Enrollment is expected to exceed the 20,000 mark in the Fall 2007 semester. Student leaders have recognized the need for expansion of UTEP’s recreational facilities and recently held an election in which an increase in the students’ recreational fee, in order to fund the expansion of such facilities, was approved.
H.B. 868 authorizes an increased recreational fee for the costs of the planning, construction, and operation of new recreational facilities.
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 54.541, Education Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2), as follows:
(a) Makes a conforming deletion.
(a-1) Prohibits a fee imposed under this section from exceeding $70 per student for a term or semester of 10 weeks or longer or $50 per student for any other term or semester.
(a-2) Prohibits a fee imposed under this section, for a term or semester before the 2009 fall semester, from exceeding $20 per student for a semester or summer session, notwithstanding Subsection (a-1). Provides that this subsection expires September 1, 2009.
(c) Prohibits a recreational facility fee from being increased unless the amount of the increase is approved by a majority vote of those students participating in a general student election called at The University of Texas at El Paso for that purpose. Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to the 2007 fall semester.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.