Honorable Judith Zaffirini, Chair, Senate Committee on Higher Education
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB1341 by Walle (Relating to the manner of payment of tuition and mandatory fees at public institutions of higher education.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill relates to the manner of payment of tuition and mandatory fees at public institutions of higher education. The bill amends Sections 54.007(a), (b), (b-1), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) of the Education Code, and, adds Sections 54.007(a-1) and (b-2) to the Education Code to provide the following changes: 1) all references to fees are now "mandatory fees", 2) fall and spring semesters are now "a semester or term of 10 weeks or longer", 3) full payment due dates and installment payment due dates are now set by each institution, 4) payment due dates set by each institution may not be later the date established by the Higher Education Coordinating Board for certifying student enrollment for purposes of formula funding, and 5) payments may be made after the established due dates on unpaid balances resulting from an adjustment to a student's enrollment status or an administrative action, or, unpaid balances that represent less than 5% of the total amount of tuition and mandatory fees charged to a student for that semester or term. This Bill also amends Sections 54.0071 (a), (b), (c), and (e) of the Education Code to change references to fees from "fees" to "mandatory fees". The changes in law made by this Act apply beginning with the payment of tuition and fees at a public institution of higher education for the 2011 Fall Semester. Any costs associated with this bill would be implemented within current resources.
Local Government Impact
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration, 758 Texas State University System, 768 Texas Tech University System Administration, 769 University of North Texas System Administration, 781 Higher Education Coordinating Board, 783 University of Houston System Administration