HB 2853
AN ACT relating to student union building fees at The University of Texas
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Increases the maximum student union building fee at The University of Texas at El Paso from $30 to $150 per semester for terms of 10 weeks or more, and from $15 to $75 for shorter terms. The fee increase will be phased in, with $70 and $35 fees respectively before the 2026 fall semester, and up to $120 and $60 during the 2026-2027 academic year, with any increases over 10% requiring student voter approval. The fees will be used solely for financing, constructing, operating, maintaining, and improving the university's student union building.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to student union building fees at The University of Texas BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 54.535, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1), (a-2), and (a) The board of regents of The University of Texas System may levy a student union fee in an amount not to exceed $150 [$30] per student for each semester or term of 10 [regular semester or each summer session of six] weeks or more, and not to exceed $75 [$15] per student for any other semester or term [each summer session of less than six weeks], for the sole purpose of financing, constructing, operating, maintaining, and improving a student union building for The University of Texas at El Paso, including demolition of the existing student union building; provided, however, that the fee may not be increased to an amount that exceeds by at least 10 percent the amount of the fee levied during the preceding academic year, [above $15 per student for each regular semester or each summer session of six weeks or more and $7.50 per student for each summer session of less than six weeks] unless the increase is approved by a majority vote of [those] students enrolled at the university participating in a general student election held for that purpose. The fees herein authorized to be levied are in addition to any use or service fee now or hereafter (a-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), for a semester or term before the 2026 fall semester, the amount of a fee levied under (1) $70 per student for a semester or term of 10 weeks (2) $35 per student for a semester or term not (a-2) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), for a semester or term of the 2026-2027 academic year, the amount of a fee levied under this section may not exceed: (1) $120 per student for a semester or term of 10 weeks (2) $60 per student for a semester or term not (a-3) Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) and this subsection SECTION 2. Section 54.535, Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies beginning with student union fees collected for SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to student union building fees at The University of Texas
Related Guides
Learn more about tracking Texas legislation and working with lobbyists.
How to Read & Track Texas Bills
Master bill numbering, understand legislative language, and learn effective tracking strategies.
Understanding Texas Legislative Deadlines
Navigate the 140-day session with critical calendar dates and filing deadlines.
How Laws Get Made in Texas
Follow a bill's journey from filing to the governor's desk through committees and floor votes.
When Should Your Business Hire a Lobbyist?
Discover the signs that your business needs professional advocacy at the Texas Capitol.