Sec. 54.5134. WASHINGTON, D.C., INTERNSHIP EDUCATION FEE. (a) The governing board of an institution of higher education may charge and collect from each student registered at the institution a fee in an amount not to exceed $1 for each semester or summer session if imposition of the fee is approved by a majority vote of the students of the institution participating in a general student election held for that purpose.

(b) The amount of the fee imposed at an institution may be increased from one academic year to the next by more than 10 percent only if approved by a majority vote of the students of the institution participating in a general student election held for that purpose.

(c) Revenue from a fee imposed under this section shall be deposited in a fund established by the institution outside the state treasury and identified as the institution's Washington, D.C., internship financial aid fund. Money in the fund may be used only to assist a student participating in a Washington, D.C., internship program administered, sponsored, or approved by the institution.

(d) The fund shall be used in accordance with guidelines jointly developed by the student governing body of the institution and the administration of the institution. If the institution does not have a student governing body, the president may appoint a committee of students to assist with the development of the guidelines.

(e) A fee imposed under this section may not be considered in determining the maximum amount of student services fees that may be charged a student enrolled at the institution under Section 54.503(b).

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1504, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1999.