BILL ANALYSIS



H.B. 2747
By: Holzheauser
May 4, 1995
Committee Report (Amended)


BACKGROUND

Since 1972, the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) and Victoria
College have had a lessee/landlord arrangement.  UHV is now at a
crossroad in its growth and development.  In 1994, the University
of Houston System Board of Regents approved UHV's master plan for
facilities to provide for its future development.  The University
and Victoria College intend to continue their partnership by
sharing the student center, the bookstore, the auditorium, the
wellness center and library space.


PURPOSE

If enacted, H.B. 2747 will provide tuition revenue bonds for the
University of Houston-Victoria.


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly
grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer,
department, agency, or institution.


SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 55 A, Education Code, by adding Section
55.173 to read as follows:  

     Sec.  55.173.  THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM.  (a) 
Authorizes the board of regents of the University of Houston System
to acquire, purchase, construct, renovate buildings and related
infrastructure for the University of Houston-Victoria.  (b) 
Authorizes the board to issue bonds not to exceed $9 million,
beginning September 1, 1995, to finance those items.  (c)  The
board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those bonds and the
amount of pledge may not be reduced or abrogated while the bonds
are outstanding.

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date:  September 1, 1995.


EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Amendment #1 amends SECTION 1 by adding Sec. 55.173 (d) to read as follows:  
The board may repay the interest and principal on the bonds issued under this section and the
maintenance and operations of the facility with appropriations that otherwise would have been for
the lease of facilities.

Amendment #2 specifies in SECTION 1, Sec. 55.173 (b) that the board of the University of
Houston System may issue bonds in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program that
is adopted by the board.



SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION

H.B. 2747 was considered by the committee in a public hearing on April 4, 1995.

The following person testified neutrally on the bill:
Dr. Lesta V. Turchen.

The bill was referred to the subcommittee on tuition revenue bonds consisting of Representative
Ogden as chair and Representatives Harris and Kamel as members.  

After being recalled from subcommittee, the bill was considered by the committee in a formal
meeting on May 3, 1995.

The committee considered two amendments to the bill.  All of those amendments were adopted
without objection by a non-record vote.

The bill was reported as amended, with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be
sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 9 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv,
0 absent.