University of Colorado

Legislative Council

 

 

February 8, 2007                                                                                             66LCB6 - Referendum Fees

           

Sponsored by:                                      Erik Bondurant                         Graduate School Senator                                                          Scott McEachron                                 Representative-at-Large

                                                            Andy Aitchison                         Tri-Executive

 

Authored by:                                        Erik Bondurant                         Graduate School Senator

 

Referenda Fees Review

Bill History

Based on University of Wisconsin v Southworth, the use of referenda to create group-specific student fees was deemed unconstitutional as violating viewpoint neutrality. As a result, the UCSU Election Code was changed to end this practice. However, many groups have been grandfathered in, allowing their referenda based fees to continue, in some cases, through Spring 2009. To further address constitutional concerns as well as introduce these groups to the system they will use for funding after the referenda lapses, this bill will take steps to provide review of these student groups by the Student Group Funding Board (SGFB).

Bill Summary

 

This bill asks groups receiving referenda fees beyond the Spring 2007 semester to appear before SGFB to present their budget during Spring 2007. If they do not voluntarily do this, the SGFB will perform an audit based on their power to audit any student group as stated in SGFB Code Section 601.2. Legislative Council will respond to any concerns of SGFB based on the review or audit.

THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Council of the University of Colorado Student Union THAT:

SECTION 1:  SGFB should be amended as follows:

            Section 904:     Existing Referenda Fees

                        (1) Student groups that receive referenda fees beyond the Spring 2007 semester are                  required to submit materials to SGFB in the manned provided in section 504 during the                   spring semester prior to each year of funding.  These applications are solely for the                 execution of this section and shall not be construed as requests to the SGFB for                            funding.

                        (2)  SGFB will perform an audit of any group that does not submit an application as                   stated in subsection 1 of this section in the manner provided by section 902.

                        (3)  Based on application or audit, SGFB may respond as provided in section 903.

SECTION 2:  This bill takes effect upon passage by Legislative Council and signing by Legislative Council President and the Tri-Executives.

 

 

 

Vote Totals:

2/8/07                                                  Referred to Committee                                 Acclamation

2/22/07                                                Amended & Passed                                       16-0-0

                                                                                                                       

 

_____________________________                          ______________________________

Joseph Martinez                                                         Ashley Nakagawa

UCSU Legislative Council President                                    UCSU Tri-executive

 

______________________________                                    ______________________________

Andy Aitchison                                                           Charles Johnson

UCSU Tri-executive                                                   UCSU Tri-executive