HBA-AMW, LJP H.B. 467 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 467
By: Solomons
Higher Education
6/14/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Student Health Service of Texas Woman's University (university)
provides ambulatory health care and preventive health services to students.
Prior to the 77th Legislature, a cap of $30 was placed on the amount that
the university was authorized to charge students each regular semester for
the medical services fee.  The medical services fee charged each semester
by the university covers a majority of the Student Health Service's annual
expenses.  However, the university expects an increase in health service
costs in coming years due to such factors as the rising prices of medical
supplies and pharmaceuticals and the need to fund state mandated
adjustments in staff salaries.  House Bill 467 increases the maximum amount
of the medical services fee that may be charged each semester at the
university. 

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 467 amends the Education Code to raise the maximum medical
services fee that the board of regents of Texas Woman's University (board)
is authorized to charge each student registered at the university.  The
bill raises the maximum authorized fee from $30 to $55 for each semester of
the regular term or 12-week summer session and from $15 to $25 for each
six-week or shorter term of the summer session.  The bill authorizes the
board to increase the amount of the medical services fee by an amount that
is more than 10 percent of the amount of the fee imposed the preceding
academic year only if that increase is approved by a majority of the
students of the participating university in a general election held for
that purpose. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

May 28, 2001.  The Act applies beginning with the fall semester 2001.