By: Seliger S.B. No. 837

(In the Senate - Filed February 13, 2017; February 27, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education; May 1, 2017, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 1, 2017, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 837 By: Seliger

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requirements for student elections to authorize or increase certain fees at public institutions of higher education.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 54.5001 to read as follows:

Sec. 54.5001. PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENT FEE ELECTIONS. Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter or other law, a general student election held at a general academic teaching institution under this subchapter for the purpose of authorizing a student fee or approving an increase in the amount of an existing student fee is not valid unless:

(1) at least 10 percent of the students enrolled at the institution to whom the fee, or the increased amount of the fee, would apply if currently in effect participate in the election; and

(2) at least 30 percent of the students participating in the election are students enrolled in lower-division courses at the institution.

SECTION 2. Section 54.5001, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies only to an election held to authorize the imposition of a fee or fee increase on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.

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