By: Creighton S.B. No. 52

(In the Senate - Filed October 12, 2021; October 12, 2021, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education; October 14, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; October 14, 2021, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 52 By: Creighton

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects at public institutions of higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is amended by adding Sections 55.1791, 55.1792, 55.1793, 55.1794, 55.1795, 55.1796, 55.1797, 55.1798, 55.1799, and 55.17991 to read as follows:

Sec. 55.1791. THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the board of regents of The Texas A&M 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) Texas A&M University, $140 million for construction of a clinical veterinary teaching and research complex;

(2) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $50 million for construction of a central plant and infrastructure upgrades;

(3) Texas A&M University--Commerce, $40 million for infrastructure upgrades to address accessibility for persons with disabilities and health and safety issues;

(4) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60 million to address deferred maintenance;

(5) West Texas A&M University, $65,750,000 for infrastructure upgrades to address health and safety issues and the renovation of an education building;

(6) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $60 million for construction of a public health and education building;

(7) Texas A&M International University, $80 million for construction of a health science education and research center;

(8) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for construction of a business, engineering, and technology building; and

(9) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, $80 million for construction of the Texas Medical Center Building 3 in Houston, Texas.

(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 A&M 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 A&M 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. 55.1792. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the board of regents of The University of 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 following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:

(1) The University of Texas at Austin, $80 million for renovation of the Microelectronics Research Center at the J. J. Pickle Research Campus;

(2) The University of Texas at Arlington, $107,200,000 for renovation of the Life Science Building;

(3) The University of Texas at Dallas, $68 million for construction of a student success center;

(4) The University of Texas at El Paso, $80 million for construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex;

(5) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $56 million for renovation of the Mesa Building;

(6) The University of Texas at Tyler, $60,800,000 for construction of a sciences building;

(7) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, $80 million for construction of a life sciences research, innovation, and discovery facility; and

(8) The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, $87,358,171 for infrastructure and research space upgrades for research buildings.

(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 University of 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 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.

Sec. 55.1793. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the board of regents of the University of Houston 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) the University of Houston System, $128 million for construction of a medical research facility;

(2) the University of Houston, $118,800,000 for construction of the IDEA Lab;

(3) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $60 million for renovation of the Bayou Building, the Delta Building, and the Student Services and Classroom Building; and

(4) the University of Houston--Victoria, $21,280,469 for renovation of existing buildings and other campus infrastructure upgrades.

(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 University of Houston 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 Houston 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. 55.1794. TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas State 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) Lamar State College--Orange, $42 million for the construction of an academic building to house general academic instruction and information technology services;

(2) Lamar Institute of Technology, $48 million for construction of a facility for workforce and allied health programs;

(3) Lamar University, $75 million for renovation of a library;

(4) Sam Houston State University, $70 million for construction of an allied health building located in Conroe, Texas; and

(5) Texas State University, $141,300,000 for construction of a STEM classroom building located in San Marcos, Texas.

(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 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 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.

Sec. 55.1795. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL 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 following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:

(1) the University of North Texas, $113,400,000 for construction of a science and technology research building;

(2) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $140 million for construction of a science building; and

(3) the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, $84 million for campus space optimization and realignment.

(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 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.

Sec. 55.1796. TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, 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 construction of 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 $108 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; 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 construction of an interdisciplinary and applied sciences building, 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.

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 maintenance and renovation of a central plant;

(2) Texas Tech University:

(A) $72 million for renovations to address deferred maintenance for campus buildings; and

(B) $8 million for maintenance and program enhancement construction in Junction, Texas;

(3) Midwestern State University, $50 million for renovation of the Bolin Science Hall and other infrastructure; and

(4) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, $90 million for maintenance and renovation of an existing facility.

(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 projects to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:

(1) $22,800,000 for renovation of the Nabrit Building;

(2) $2,400,000 for upgrades to signage and wayfinding;

(3) $40 million for facility maintenance and renovation; and

(4) $30 million for construction of a health and wellness center.

(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, $33,300,000 for the Williamson County campus site phase II;

(2) Texas State Technical College--Fort Bend, $41,800,000 for construction of phase II of the campus site;

(3) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, $37,800,000 for construction of an industrial technology performance learning center;

(4) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $15 million for construction of an industrial technology performance learning center;

(5) Texas State Technical College--North Texas, $13.5 million for construction of phase II of the campus site;

(6) Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $13.5 million for construction of phase II of the campus site located in Abilene, Texas; and

(7) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $53,600,000 for construction of an industrial technology performance learning center.

(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 2. 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 3. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.

* * * * *