HBA-SEP, JLV H.B. 2218 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2218 By: Rangel Higher Education 7/18/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In 2001, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board released a report of the Special Committee on Globalization and Higher Education entitled "Globalizing Texas Higher Education for the New Century: A Response to Closing the Gaps" that recommends increasing support for international education scholarships. Prior to the 77th Legislature, the governing boards of certain institutions of higher education were authorized to charge registered students an international education fee of $1 for the purpose of assisting students participating in international student exchange or study programs. A fee increase may enable more students to participate in these programs. House Bill 2218 authorizes the governing board of an institution of higher education, other than The University of Texas at Austin, to increase the international education fee charged and collected from students registered at the institution if the increase is approved by the students. 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. ANALYSIS House Bill 2218 amends the Education Code to authorize the governing board of an institution of higher education, other than The University of Texas at Austin, to modify the international education fee charged and collected from students registered at the institution to be an amount not less than $1 and not more than $4 for each semester or summer session only if the increase is approved by a majority vote of the students at the institution participating in an election called for that purpose. EFFECTIVE DATE June 15, 2001.