HBA-JLV H.B. 2575 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2575
By: Goolsby
Higher Education
7/17/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, an institution of higher education
(institution) was authorized to charge up to $150 for student services fees
per semester.  Institutions spend student services fees to fund various
student activities that are separate and distinct from the general
operations budget of the university.  However, many institutions were
charging students the maximum amount of  $150 in student services fees, and
found that the fees were not able to meet the service needs of current
student populations.  House Bill 2575 increases the maximum limit of
aggregate student services fees that an institution is authorized to
charge.  

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 2575 amends the Education Code to increase, from $150 to $250,
the limit of the total amount of compulsory student services fees that may
be collected from a student at an institution of higher education, other
than The University of Texas at Austin or a component institution of the
University of Houston System, for any one semester or summer session.  The
bill provides that if the total compulsory fee charged for student services
is more than $150, the increase does not take effect unless the increase is
approved by a majority vote of the students voting in an election held for
that purpose or by a majority vote of the student government at the
institution.  The bill also provides that in subsequent years, an election
authorizing a fee increase must be held before the fee can be increased by
more than 10 percent of the fee approved at the last student election. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 14, 2001.