80R5132 TAD-D

By: Coleman H.B. No. 1520

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to student fees at Texas Southern University.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It has been the tradition and practice at Texas Southern University that a new mandatory student fee not be imposed unless the fee is approved by a majority of students participating in a general student election at the university. In addition, by law the amount of a mandatory student fee at Texas Southern University may not be increased by more than 10 percent in any academic year unless the amount of the increase is approved by a majority of students participating in a general student election at the university. It is the intent of the legislature that the amounts of mandatory student fees authorized by law for Texas Southern University continue to be subject to a majority vote of the students participating in a general student election at the university.

SECTION 2. AMENDMENT. Section 54.522(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The board of regents of Texas Southern University may levy and collect a student fee not to exceed $75 [$35] per student for each semester of the long session and not to exceed $17.50 per student for each term of the summer session, from each student enrolled in Texas Southern University, as may in its discretion be just and necessary for the purpose of operating, maintaining, improving, and equipping the student center and acquiring or constructing additions to the student center. A fee collected under this section is in addition to any other use or service fee authorized to be levied.

SECTION 3. AMENDMENT. Section 54.5221(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The board of regents of Texas Southern University may levy and collect a recreational facility fee not to exceed $90 [$50] per student for each semester of the regular term or $50 per student for each term of the summer session from each student enrolled in Texas Southern University, for the sole purpose of constructing, operating, maintaining, improving, and equipping a recreational facility or program at the institution. A fee collected under this section is in addition to any other use or service fee authorized to be levied.

SECTION 4. AMENDMENT. Section 54.5222(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The board of regents of Texas Southern University may levy and collect a medical services fee not to exceed $50 [$35] per student for each semester of the regular term or $17.50 for each term of the summer session from each student enrolled in Texas Southern University for the sole purpose of operating, maintaining, improving, and equipping a medical service facility at the university, acquiring and constructing additions to the medical service facility, and providing medical services to students registered at the university. A fee collected under this section is in addition to any other use or service fee authorized to be levied.

SECTION 5. AMENDMENT. Subchapter E, Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding Sections 54.5223, 54.5224, and 54.5225 to read as follows:

Sec. 54.5223. SHUTTLE SERVICE FEE; TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY. (a) The board of regents of Texas Southern University may levy and collect a shuttle service fee in an amount not to exceed $35 per student for each regular semester from each student enrolled at the university for the sole purpose of financing shuttle service for students attending the university. The fee may not be imposed unless the fee is approved by a majority vote of the students participating in a general student election held at the university for that purpose.

(b) The fees collected under this section shall be deposited to an account known as the Texas Southern University Shuttle Service Fee Account and shall be expended in accordance with a budget submitted to and approved by the board of regents. The board of regents shall make any changes in the budget the board considers necessary before approving the budget and shall impose the fee, within the limits provided by this section, in an amount sufficient to meet the budget as approved.

(c) The board of regents may not increase the amount of the fee by more than 10 percent from one academic year to the next unless the amount of the increase is approved by a majority vote of the students participating in a general student election held at the university for that purpose.

(d) A fee imposed under this section is in addition to any other fee authorized by law and may not be considered in determining the maximum amount of student services fees that may be imposed under Section 54.503.

Sec. 54.5224. INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS FEE; TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY. (a) The board of regents of Texas Southern University may levy and collect an intercollegiate athletics fee from each student enrolled at the university during a regular semester for the purpose of developing and maintaining an intercollegiate athletics program at the university. The fee may not be imposed unless approved by a majority vote of the students participating in a general student election held at the university for that purpose.

(b) The amount of the fee may not exceed $10 per semester credit hour for each semester unless a greater amount is approved by a majority vote of the students participating in a general election held at the university for that purpose. The amount of the fee imposed on a student in a semester may not exceed the amount of the fee imposed on a student enrolled in 12 semester credit hours during the same semester.

(c) A fee imposed under this section is in addition to any other fee authorized by law and may not be considered in determining the maximum amount of student services fees that may be imposed under Section 54.503.

Sec. 54.5225. PARKING FACILITIES FEE; TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY. (a) The board of regents of Texas Southern University may levy and collect a parking facilities fee in an amount not to exceed $195 per student for each regular semester from each student enrolled at the university for the sole purpose of constructing, operating, maintaining, improving, and equipping parking facilities at the university. The fee may not be imposed unless the fee is approved by a majority vote of the students participating in a general student election held at the university for that purpose.

(b) The fees collected under this section shall be deposited to an account known as the Texas Southern University Parking Facilities Fee Account and shall be expended in accordance with a budget submitted to and approved by the board of regents. The board of regents shall make any changes in the budget the board considers necessary before approving the budget and shall impose the fee, within the limits provided by this section, in an amount sufficient to meet the budget as approved.

(c) The board of regents may not increase the amount of the fee by more than 10 percent from one academic year to the next unless the amount of the increase is approved by a majority vote of the students voting in a general student election held for that purpose.

(d) A fee imposed under this section is in addition to any other fee authorized by law and may not be considered in determining the maximum amount of student services fees that may be imposed under Section 54.503.

SECTION 6. TRANSITION PROVISION. The change in law made by this Act applies to fees charged beginning with the fall 2007 semester.

SECTION 7. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.