BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 1157

80R5489 KEL-F                                                                      By: West, George "Buddy" (Seliger)

                                                                                                                    S/C on Higher Education

                                                                                                                                              5/5/2007

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current law does not provide for a fee to be imposed at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (university) to finance a multi-purpose student center.  The student senate at the university conducted a survey during the fall 2006 semester, asking if respondents would consider imposing a student fee for the construction and operation of a multi-purpose student center.  Over 500 responses were received.  Regarding the functions to be included in the proposed multipurpose student center, 431 students asked for a new food service facility, 332 for recreational facility/gym, 165 for a childcare facility, 365 for study area, and 348 for a game room.   Other suggestions included a convenience store, copy center, lounge, medical care facility, and coffee house or cyber cafe.

 

In January 2007, a referendum of the student body was conducted and 96 percent of the student voters voted in favor of the construction and operation of the multi-purpose student center. Voting took place at the entrance to the main building over a two-day period. The student senate accepted the results and requested that the university seek authority to charge a fee for the construction and operation of the multipurpose student center. 

 

H.B. 1157 provides for a fee to finance a multi-purpose student center at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

 

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 54.5332, as follows:

 

Sec. 54.5332.  STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING FEE; THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN.  (a)  Authorizes the board of regents of The University of Texas System (board) to charge each student enrolled at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin (university) a fee for the purpose of financing, constructing, operating, maintaining, or improving a student services building at the university.

 

(b)  Prohibits the amount of the fee from exceeding $150 for each regular semester, $75 for each summer session of more than six weeks, or $50 for each summer session of six weeks or shorter.

 

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

 

(d)  Prohibits the amount of the fee for a semester or summer session from being increased by a certain amount, unless the amount of the increase is approved by a majority vote of the students participating in a general student election held for that purpose.

 

(e)  Requires the university to collect the fee imposed under this section and deposit the money collected into an account to be known as the student services building account (account) of the university.  Authorizes money in the account to be used only for the purposes described by Subsection (a).

 

(f)  Provides that a fee charged under this section is in addition to any other fee the board is authorized by law to charge at the university and prohibits such a fee from being considered 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 to the 2007 fall semester.

 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.