LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 81ST LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
March 31, 2009

TO:
Honorable Dan Branch, Chair, House Committee on Higher Education
 
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB2961 by Coleman (Relating to authorizing an increase in the student union fee at the University of Houston.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Under provisions of the bill, the University of Houston System may levy a student union fee in an amount not to exceed $150 per student for each regular semester or $75 per student for each summer session. Under current law the university may levy a student union fee in an amount not to exceed $35 per student for each regular semester or $17.50 for each summer session.  The fee is used for financing, constructing, operating, maintaining, and improving a Student Union for the University of Houston.

The University estimates that if the fee was collected at the maximum rate provided for under the bill revenue generated would be approximately $12.1 million per year, a $9.3 million increase over fiscal year 2009.  An increase in the fee from one academic year to the next must be approved by a majority vote of the students voting in an election called for that purpose or by a majority vote of the student government. 


Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.


Source Agencies:
783 University of Houston System Administration
LBB Staff:
JOB, KK, RT, SSh, SK