BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                        S.B. 273

80R3666 KEL-D                                                                                                                 By: Estes

S/C on Higher Education

3/9/2007

As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

There is a need for improved recreational facilities and services for students of Texas Woman's University (TWU). In a referendum, the student body approved the imposition of a recreational fee in the spring of 2006, but the board of regents of TWU (board) is not statutorily authorized to establish such a fee.

As proposed, S.B. 273 authorizes the board to establish a student fitness and recreation fee to finance, construct, operate, renovate, and maintain fitness and recreational facilities and programs 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 54.5251, as follows:

Sec. 54.5251.  STUDENT FITNESS AND RECREATIONAL FEE;  TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY.  (a)  Authorizes the board of regents (board) of Texas Woman's University (university) to charge all enrolled students a student fitness and recreational fee.  Sets forth limits on the amount of the fee.

(b)  Limits use of the fee to financing, constructing, operating, maintaining, or improving a fitness or recreational facility or for operating a fitness or recreational program.

(c)  Prohibits the amount of the fee from being increased by more than 10 percent each academic year unless approved by a majority vote of the enrolled students in a general student election held for that purpose.

(d)  Requires the chief fiscal officer of the university to collect the fee and deposit the fee revenue in the student fitness and recreational account.

(e)  Prohibits the fee from being considered in determining the maximum amount of student service fees that may be charged under Section 54.503.

(f)  Sets forth the conditions under which the board is authorized to permit a person not enrolled at the university to use a facility financed by this fee.

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

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