HBA-LCA S.B. 1765 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1765
By: Barrientos
Higher Education
4/25/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In March, 1999, students at The University of Texas at Austin (UT)
authorized by referendum a fee to fund the renovation of the Gregory
Gymnasium indoor pool, and to fund the construction of an outdoor swimming
complex.  The fee, which will be charged to all students and prorated to
the length of the semester, may not exceed $0.85, and is dedicated to the
construction, repair, operation and maintenance of the new aquatics center.
S.B. 1765 authorizes the board of regents of The UT System to impose this
fee.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 54, Education Code, by adding
Section 54.5372, as follows: 

Sec.  54.5372.  AQUATICS CENTER FEE; THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN. (a)
Authorizes the board of regents of The University of Texas System (board of
regents) to charge each student enrolled at The University of Texas at
Austin (UT) a fee not to exceed 85 cents per credit hour per semester.
Provides that the fee may be used to finance, construct, renovate, operate,
maintain, and improve an aquatics center at the Gregory Gymnasium complex
(center). 

(b) Requires the board of regents to prorate the fee allowed under this
section (fee) based on the length of the semester or term for which a
student is enrolled. 

(c) Requires the university to collect the fee and use it only for purposes
authorized in this section. 

(d) Prohibits the collection of the fee until the semester in which the
center has been substantially completed and is made available for use.   

(e) Authorizes the board of regents to pledge fees for the payment of
obligations issued for authorized purposes pursuant to the revenue
financing system of The University of Texas System. 

(f) Prohibits fees from being counted in determining the maximum student
services fee that may be charged to UT students under this subchapter
(Other Fees and Deposits). 

SECTION 2.  Provides that this Act applies beginning with fees due for the
1999 fall semester. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.