BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 161

80R2963 RMB-F                                                                                                       By: Wentworth

S/C on Higher Education

3/8/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Texas State University System seeks approval to implement an intercollegiate athletics fee at an initial rate not to exceed $8.75 per semester credit hour in each long semester and $4.50 per semester credit hour in each summer session.  Subject to approval by a student referendum, the system seeks  authorization to implement this fee beginning in the 2007 fall semester. 

Currently, support for intercollegiate athletics is provided through the student services fee.  Having a dedicated intercollegiate athletics fee would stabilize funding for intercollegiate athletics, making it more predictable and ensuring more reliable planning.  A dedicated fee would also make student support of intercollegiate athletics more transparent.

As proposed, S.B. 161 authorizes a dedicated intercollegiate athletics fee as a substitute for the student service fee support. 

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 54.5381, as follows:

Sec. 54.5381.  INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS FEE: TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.  (a) Sets forth terms used to determine the certain amount of an intercollegiate athletics fee (fee) that the Texas State University board of regents (board) is authorized to impose on each enrolled student.

(b) Prohibits the imposition of the fee unless a majority of students approve it in a general student election held for that purpose.

(c) Authorizes the collected fees to be used to develop and maintain an intercollegiate athletics program at the component institution.

(d) Authorizes the board to increase the fee one time per academic year.  Requires the majority approval of students in a general student election if the fee is to be increased by more than 10 percent.

(e) Prohibits this fee from affecting the amount of student services fees imposed under Section 54.503 (Student Services Fees).

(f) Authorizes the board to impose the fee if a majority of students vote to approve the fee in a general student election held on or after January 1, 2005.  Provides that this subsection expires January 1, 2008.

SECTION 2.  Makes the application of this Act prospective to the 2007 fall semester.

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