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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund |
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capital projects at public institutions of higher education. |
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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 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) Texas A&M University--Commerce, $50 million for |
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infrastructure upgrades to address accessibility for persons with |
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disabilities and health and safety issues; |
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(2) Texas A&M International University, $80 million |
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for construction of health science education and research centers; |
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(3) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60 million to |
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address deferred maintenance; |
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(4) 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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(5) West Texas A&M University, $65,750,000 for |
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infrastructure upgrades to address health and safety issues and |
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renovation of an education building. |
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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 at Arlington, $134 million |
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for renovation of the Life Science Building; |
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(2) The University of Texas at El Paso, $100 million |
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for construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex; and |
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(3) The University of Texas at Tyler, $76 million for |
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construction of a sciences building. |
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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, $128 million for |
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construction of a medical research facility; |
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(2) 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; and |
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(3) the University of Houston--Victoria, $21,280,469 |
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for renovation of the Northwest Building and North Building. |
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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 |
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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) Lamar State College--Orange, $42 million for |
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construction of an academic building to house general academic |
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instruction and information technology services; |
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(2) 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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(3) Lamar University, $75 million for renovation of a |
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library; and |
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(4) Sam Houston State University, $70 million for |
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construction of an allied health building located in Conroe, 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 State 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 State |
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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. 55.1795. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH 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 North Texas |
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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 North Texas at Dallas, $163 |
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million for construction of a science building; and |
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(2) the University of North Texas Health Science |
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Center at Fort Worth, $84 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 |
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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 North 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 North 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. 55.1796. 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, |
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purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property |
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and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for |
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renovation and repurposing of Brackenridge Hall health sciences |
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center, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance |
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with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount |
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of $49 million. |
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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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Texas Woman's University, including student tuition charges. The |
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amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or |
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abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds |
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issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding. |
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Sec. 55.1797. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY; |
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ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted |
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by this subchapter, the board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State |
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University 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 construction of an interdisciplinary |
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and applied sciences building, to be financed through the issuance |
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of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the |
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aggregate principal amount of $53 million. |
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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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Stephen F. Austin State University, including student tuition |
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charges. The amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not |
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be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is |
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made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding. |
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Sec. 55.1798. TEXAS TECH 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 Tech 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 |
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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) Texas Tech University: |
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(A) $72 million for renovations to address |
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deferred maintenance for campus buildings; and |
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(B) $8 million for renovations and construction |
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at the Texas Tech University Center at Junction; |
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(2) Angelo State University, $36 million for |
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maintenance and renovation of a central plant; and |
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(3) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, $90 |
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million for maintenance and renovation of an existing 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 Texas Tech 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 Tech |
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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. 55.1799. TEXAS SOUTHERN 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 Southern University may acquire, |
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purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property |
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and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for |
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projects to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance |
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with this subchapter, not to exceed the following aggregate |
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principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows: |
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(1) $22,800,000 for renovation of the Nabrit Building; |
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(2) $59 million for renovation of the Lanier East |
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Building; |
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(3) $2,400,000 for upgrades to signage and wayfinding; |
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(4) $40 million for maintenance and renovation of a |
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facility; and |
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(5) $30 million for construction of a health and |
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wellness center. |
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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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Texas Southern University, including student tuition charges. The |
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amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or |
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abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds |
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issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding. |
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Sec. 55.17991. TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM. (a) |
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In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the |
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board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System may |
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acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip |
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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 for the following entity |
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and institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate principal |
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amounts for the projects specified, as follows: |
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(1) Texas State Technical College System, $33,300,000 |
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for the Williamson County campus site phase II; |
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(2) Texas State Technical College--Fort Bend, |
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$41,800,000 for construction of phase II of the campus site; |
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(3) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, |
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$37,800,000 for construction of an industrial technology |
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performance learning center; |
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(4) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $15 |
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million for construction of an industrial technology performance |
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learning center; |
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(5) Texas State Technical College--North Texas, $13.5 |
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million for construction of phase II of the campus site; |
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(6) Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $13.5 |
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million for construction of phase II of the campus site located in |
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Abilene, Texas; and |
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(7) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $53,600,000 |
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for construction of an industrial technology performance learning |
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center. |
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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 State Technical |
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College System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a |
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pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated |
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while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to |
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refund those 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 State |
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Technical College 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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SECTION 2. This Act does not affect any authority or |
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restriction regarding the activities that a public institution of |
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higher education may conduct in connection with a facility financed |
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by bonds authorized by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
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last day of the legislative session. |