Texas Senate Bill SB876

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to a limitation on the amount of tuition and fees charged to students by public institutions of higher education.

Impact

The enactment of SB876 supports the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's efforts to manage tuition rates systematically. By linking tuition fees to a past academic year and adjusting for inflation, this bill intends to ensure that public colleges and universities maintain a predictable and manageable financial environment for students. Additionally, it introduces provisions that prevent fee increases without prior approval from the student body, thereby enhancing student engagement and oversight in fiscal decisions within educational institutions.

Summary

Senate Bill 876 seeks to impose limitations on the tuition and fees that public institutions of higher education can charge students. Specifically, the bill amends the Education Code to define 'tuition' and establishes a limit on the total tuition charged to students for the academic year, capping it at the inflation-adjusted amount that would have been charged for the 2019-2020 academic year. This regulation aims to increase the affordability of higher education for students in Texas by preventing excessive tuition hikes that could arise in the absence of such regulations.

Contention

Although the bill aims to improve affordability, it may also lead to discussions around funding adequacy for public institutions. Critics might argue that limiting tuition increases could impact the financial resources of universities, potentially leading to cutbacks in programs or services. Moreover, institutions may find it challenging to generate enough revenue to meet operational costs or invest in student facilities if tuition caps do not align with the rising expenses of running a college or university. Thus, while the bill seeks to protect students from rising costs, it may inadvertently create fiscal constraints for educational institutions.