HBA-MPM H.B. 1793 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1793
By: Dunnam
Higher Education
3/5/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas State Technical College (TSTC) system is a state institution of
higher education, but not currently authorized to participate in the
state's Tuition Revenue Bond program.  H.B. 1793 authorizes the board of
regents (board) of the TSTC system to issue bonds in an aggregate principal
amount not to exceed $16.5 million for a range of uses relating to the
maintenance and development of the TSTC system and to transfer sufficient
funds as necessary throughout the system to meet obligations incurred for
this purpose. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, by adding
Section 55.175, as follows: 

Sec. 55.175.  TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM.  (a)  Authorizes the
board of regents (board) of the Texas State Technical College System
(system), in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter
(Revenue Bonds and Facilities),  to acquire, purchase, construct, improve,
renovate, enlarge, or equip property, buildings, structures, facilities,
roads, or related infrastructure for the system, including the individual
campuses of the system, to be financed by bonds issued in accordance with
this subchapter, including those issued in accordance with a systemwide
revenue financing program and secured as provided by that program in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed $16.5 million. 

(b)  Authorizes the board to pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
bonds all or part of the revenue funds of an institution, branch, or entity
of the system, including student tuition charges required or authorization
by law to be imposed on students enrolled at an institution, branch, or
entity of the system.  Provides that the amount of a pledge to the payment
of bonds 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)  Authorizes the board to transfer funds among institutions, branches,
and entities of the system to ensure the most equitable and efficient
allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or entity
to carry out its constitutional and statutory duties and purposes should
sufficient funds be unavailable to the board to meet its obligation under
this section. 

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.