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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects |
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at public institutions of higher education and the designation of |
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certain appropriated funds allocated to those institutions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 55.111 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 55.111. CERTAIN ALLOCATED FUNDS TO BE DESIGNATED AS |
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CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT DEBT ASSISTANCE. For purposes of this |
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subchapter, funds allocated from the appropriation of general |
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revenue to an institution of higher education to supplement revenue |
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funds of the institution described by Section 55.13(a) may be |
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designated as "Capital Improvement Debt Assistance." |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 55.1791, 55.1792, 55.1793, 55.1794, |
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55.1795, 55.1796, 55.1797, 55.1798, 55.1799, and 55.17991 to read |
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as follows: |
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Sec. 55.1791. THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
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subchapter, the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System |
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may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or |
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equip property and facilities, including roads and related |
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infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of |
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bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with a |
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systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board for the |
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following institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate |
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principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows: |
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(1) The Texas A&M University System, $58 million for |
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construction of a STEM education center at the RELLIS campus; |
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(2) Prairie View A&M University, $60 million for |
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construction of a teaching and academic student support services |
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facility; |
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(3) Tarleton State University: |
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(A) $60 million for construction of a College of |
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Health Sciences and Human Services building on the Stephenville |
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campus; and |
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(B) $60 million for Fort Worth campus expansion; |
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(4) Texas A&M University, $75 million for construction |
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of a clinical veterinary teaching and research complex; |
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(5) Texas A&M University--Commerce, $60 million for |
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construction of an agricultural education and research complex; |
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(6) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $60 million |
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for construction of an arts and media building; |
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(7) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $45 million for |
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construction of an engineering classroom and research building; |
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(8) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60 million for |
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renovations to address deferred maintenance for campus buildings; |
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(9) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $50 million |
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for construction of a central utility plant and infrastructure |
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upgrades; |
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(10) West Texas A&M University, $60 million for |
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infrastructure upgrades to address health and safety issues and the |
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renovation of an education building; |
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(11) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $60 million |
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for construction of a public health and education building; |
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(12) Texas A&M International University, $60 million |
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for construction of a health science education and research center; |
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(13) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for |
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construction of a business, engineering, and technology building; |
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and |
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(14) The Texas A&M University System Health Science |
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Center: |
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(A) $80 million for construction of the Texas |
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Medical Center Building 3 in Houston, Texas; and |
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(B) $40 million for construction of a nursing |
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education and research center in McAllen, Texas. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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an institution, branch, or entity of The Texas A&M University |
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System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
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made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
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bonds, are outstanding. |
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(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
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meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
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funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The Texas A&M |
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University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
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allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
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entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
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Sec. 55.1792. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
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subchapter, the board of regents of The University of Texas System |
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may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or |
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equip property and facilities, including roads and related |
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infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of |
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bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with a |
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systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board for the |
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following institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate |
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principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows: |
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(1) The University of Texas System, $75 million for |
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renovation of the Microelectronics Research Center at the |
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J. J. Pickle Research Campus; |
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(2) The University of Texas at Arlington, $70 million |
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for renovation of the Life Science building; |
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(3) The University of Texas at Austin, $75 million for |
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renovation of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building; |
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(4) The University of Texas at Dallas, $70 million for |
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construction of a student success center; |
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(5) The University of Texas at El Paso, $70 million for |
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construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex; |
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(6) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $60 |
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million for renovation of the Mesa Building and campus |
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transformation; |
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(7) The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley, $60 |
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million for construction of a health affairs building; |
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(8) The University of Texas at San Antonio, $70 |
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million for construction of an Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and |
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Careers building; |
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(9) The University of Texas at Tyler, $60 million for |
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construction of a sciences building; |
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(10) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Houston, $80 million for construction of a public health education |
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and research building; |
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(11) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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San Antonio, $80 million for construction of the Glenn Biggs |
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Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases Building; |
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(12) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Tyler, $69,972,826 for construction of a health professions |
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education center; |
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(13) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer |
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Center, $80 million for construction of a life sciences research, |
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innovation, and discovery initiative facility; |
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(14) The University of Texas Medical Branch at |
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Galveston, $80 million for infrastructure and research space |
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upgrades for research buildings; and |
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(15) UT Southwestern Medical Center, $80 million for |
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construction of the north campus Phase VI Brain Institute shell |
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space. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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an institution, branch, or entity of The University of Texas |
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System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
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made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
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bonds, are outstanding. |
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(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
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meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
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funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The University |
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of Texas System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
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allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
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entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
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Sec. 55.1793. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
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subchapter, the board of regents of the University of Houston |
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System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, |
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enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and |
|
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related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the |
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issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in |
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|
accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by |
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the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the |
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following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, |
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as follows: |
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(1) the University of Houston System: |
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(A) $70 million for construction of the Katy |
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Academic Building 2; and |
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(B) $80 million for construction of a medical |
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research facility; |
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(2) the University of Houston: |
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(A) $39,513,206 for construction of the Hobby |
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School of Public Affairs Building; and |
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(B) $70 million for construction of the Sugar |
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Land Academic Building 2; |
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(3) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $60 million |
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for renovation of the Bayou Building, the Delta Building, and the |
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Student Services and Classroom Building; |
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(4) the University of Houston--Downtown, $60 million |
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for renovation of existing buildings and other campus |
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infrastructure upgrades and for the construction of the Police |
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Department and Criminal Justice Academy Building; and |
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(5) the University of Houston--Victoria, $60 million |
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for construction of a health science building and an engineering |
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facility. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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an institution, branch, or entity of the University of Houston |
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System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
|
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made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
|
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bonds, are outstanding. |
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(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
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meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
|
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funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University |
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|
of Houston System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
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|
allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
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entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
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Sec. 55.1794. TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
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subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas State University |
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System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, |
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enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and |
|
|
related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the |
|
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issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in |
|
|
accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by |
|
|
the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the |
|
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following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, |
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as follows: |
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(1) Texas State University System, $15 million for |
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construction of a field research station and dam repair; |
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(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $42 million for the |
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replacement of an academic building to house general academic |
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instruction and information technology services; |
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(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $50 million for |
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construction of an allied health and sciences building; |
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(4) Lamar Institute of Technology, $48 million for |
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construction of a facility for workforce and allied health |
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programs; |
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(5) Lamar University, $60 million for renovation of a |
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library; |
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(6) Sul Ross State University, $35,250,000 for |
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renovation of fine arts facilities; |
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(7) Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College, |
|
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$44,235,000 for construction of a multipurpose education and |
|
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services building; |
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(8) Sam Houston State University: |
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(A) $60 million for construction of an allied |
|
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health building located in Conroe, Texas; and |
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(B) $60 million for construction of an active |
|
|
learning center located in Huntsville, Texas; and |
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(9) Texas State University: |
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(A) $70 million for construction of a STEM |
|
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classroom building located in San Marcos, Texas; and |
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(B) $70 million for construction of a health |
|
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professions building located in Round Rock, Texas. |
|
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
|
|
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
|
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an institution, branch, or entity of the Texas State University |
|
|
System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
|
|
made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
|
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
|
|
bonds, are outstanding. |
|
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(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
|
|
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
|
|
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas State |
|
|
University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
|
|
allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
|
|
entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
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Sec. 55.1795. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
|
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
|
|
subchapter, the board of regents of the University of North Texas |
|
|
System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, |
|
|
enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and |
|
|
related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the |
|
|
issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in |
|
|
accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by |
|
|
the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the |
|
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following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, |
|
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as follows: |
|
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(1) the University of North Texas: |
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(A) $70 million for construction of a science and |
|
|
technology research building; and |
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|
(B) $70 million for construction of a commerce, |
|
|
analytics, technology, and engineering building in Frisco, Texas; |
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(2) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $60 |
|
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million for construction of a science building; and |
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(3) the University of North Texas Health Science |
|
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Center at Fort Worth, $80 million for campus space optimization and |
|
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realignment. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
|
|
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
|
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an institution, branch, or entity of the University of North Texas |
|
|
System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
|
|
made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
|
|
bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
|
|
bonds, are outstanding. |
|
|
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
|
|
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
|
|
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University |
|
|
of North Texas System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
|
|
allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
|
|
entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
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Sec. 55.1796. TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS. |
|
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(a) In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, |
|
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the board of regents of Texas Woman's University may acquire, |
|
|
purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property |
|
|
and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a |
|
|
health sciences center, to be financed through the issuance of |
|
|
bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the |
|
|
aggregate principal amount of $60 million. |
|
|
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
|
|
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
|
|
Texas Woman's University, including student tuition charges. The |
|
|
amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or |
|
|
abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds |
|
|
issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding. |
|
|
Sec. 55.1797. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY; |
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ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted |
|
|
by this subchapter, the board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State |
|
|
University may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, |
|
|
enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and |
|
|
related infrastructure, for demolition of the Miller Science |
|
|
Building, renovation of the Forestry Building, and construction of |
|
|
a new addition, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in |
|
|
accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate |
|
|
principal amount of $53 million. |
|
|
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
|
|
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
|
|
Stephen F. Austin State University, including student tuition |
|
|
charges. The amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not |
|
|
be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is |
|
|
made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding. |
|
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Sec. 55.1798. TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
|
|
BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
|
|
subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas Tech University |
|
|
System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, |
|
|
enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and |
|
|
related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the |
|
|
issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in |
|
|
accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by |
|
|
the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the |
|
|
following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, |
|
|
as follows: |
|
|
(1) Angelo State University, $36 million for a central |
|
|
plant maintenance and renovation; |
|
|
(2) Texas Tech University, $70 million for renovations |
|
|
to address deferred maintenance for campus buildings; |
|
|
(3) Midwestern State University, $50 million for |
|
|
renovations to an existing building and other campus infrastructure |
|
|
upgrades; |
|
|
(4) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: |
|
|
(A) $80 million for maintenance and renovation of |
|
|
an existing facility; and |
|
|
(B) $25 million for construction and equipment of |
|
|
the physician assistant facility in Midland, Texas; and |
|
|
(5) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El |
|
|
Paso, $80 million for construction of a dental school building. |
|
|
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
|
|
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
|
|
an institution, branch, or entity of the Texas Tech University |
|
|
System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
|
|
made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
|
|
bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
|
|
bonds, are outstanding. |
|
|
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
|
|
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
|
|
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas Tech |
|
|
University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
|
|
allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
|
|
entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
|
|
Sec. 55.1799. TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS. |
|
|
(a) In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, |
|
|
the board of regents of Texas Southern University may acquire, |
|
|
purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property |
|
|
and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for |
|
|
renovations to existing buildings and other campus infrastructure |
|
|
upgrades to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance |
|
|
with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount |
|
|
of $60 million. |
|
|
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
|
|
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
|
|
Texas Southern University, including student tuition charges. The |
|
|
amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or |
|
|
abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds |
|
|
issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding. |
|
|
Sec. 55.17991. TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM. (a) |
|
|
In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the |
|
|
board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System may |
|
|
acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip |
|
|
property and facilities, including roads and related |
|
|
infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of |
|
|
bonds in accordance with this subchapter for the following entity |
|
|
and institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate principal |
|
|
amounts for the projects specified, as follows: |
|
|
(1) Texas State Technical College System, $33.3 |
|
|
million for the East Williamson County Higher Education Center |
|
|
expansion; |
|
|
(2) Texas State Technical College--Fort Bend, |
|
|
$41,800,000 for Fort Bend County campus expansion; |
|
|
(3) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, |
|
|
$37,800,000 for Harlingen campus expansion; |
|
|
(4) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $15 |
|
|
million for Marshall campus expansion; |
|
|
(5) Texas State Technical College--North Texas, $13.5 |
|
|
million for North Texas campus expansion; |
|
|
(6) Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $13.5 |
|
|
million for West Texas campus expansion; and |
|
|
(7) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $50 million |
|
|
for Waco campus expansion. |
|
|
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
|
|
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
|
|
an institution, branch, or entity of the Texas State Technical |
|
|
College System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a |
|
|
pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated |
|
|
while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to |
|
|
refund those bonds, are outstanding. |
|
|
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
|
|
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
|
|
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas State |
|
|
Technical College System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
|
|
allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
|
|
entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This Act does not affect any authority or |
|
|
restriction regarding the activities that a public institution of |
|
|
higher education may conduct in connection with a facility financed |
|
|
by bonds authorized by this Act. |
|
|
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
|
|
last day of the legislative session. |