By Junell, Gallego, King of Uvalde, Raymond,           H.B. No. 658
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund
 1-3     capital projects at public institutions of higher education.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Sections 55.1731, 55.1732, 55.1733, 55.1734,
 1-7     55.1735, 55.1736, 55.1737, 55.1738, 55.1739, 55.17391, and 55.17392
 1-8     to read as follows:
 1-9           Sec. 55.1731.  THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
1-10     BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
1-11     subchapter, the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System
1-12     may issue in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with
1-13     a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board bonds
1-14     for the following institutions not to exceed the following
1-15     aggregate principal amounts to finance projects specified as
1-16     follows:
1-17                 (1)  Prairie View A&M University:
1-18                       (A)  $12 million to construct or renovate
1-19     engineering facilities;
1-20                       (B)  $26 million to construct and renovate an
1-21     architecture building;
1-22                       (C)  $15 million for other campus renovations;
1-23     and
1-24                       (D)  $15 million to construct a juvenile justice
1-25     and psychology building;
 2-1                 (2)  Tarleton State University, $19.8 million for a
 2-2     library addition and renovation of a mathematics building;
 2-3                 (3)  Texas A&M University--Commerce, $15,840,000 to
 2-4     replace a science building wing;
 2-5                 (4)  Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $36 million
 2-6     to construct a classroom and laboratory facility and for
 2-7     construction of the Harte Research Center;
 2-8                 (5)  Texas A&M International University, $18,620,000 to
 2-9     construct a science building (Phase IV);
2-10                 (6)  Texas A&M University at Galveston, $10,620,000 to
2-11     construct an engineering building;
2-12                 (7)  Texas A&M University--Kingsville:
2-13                       (A)  $11.6 million to construct facilities for a
2-14     pharmacy school; and
2-15                       (B)  $10.8 million to construct a student
2-16     services building;
2-17                 (8)  Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $18 million to
2-18     construct a health science building and for library renovation;
2-19                 (9)  West Texas A&M University, $24,120,000 to
2-20     construct a fine arts complex; and
2-21                 (10)  The Texas A&M University Health Science Center,
2-22     $12,870,000 for construction of classroom and faculty office
2-23     facilities for the School of Rural Public Health.
2-24           (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
2-25     bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of an institution,
2-26     branch, or entity of The Texas A&M University System, including
2-27     student tuition charges.  The amount of a pledge made under this
 3-1     subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for
 3-2     which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds,
 3-3     are outstanding.
 3-4           (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
 3-5     meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
 3-6     funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The Texas A&M
 3-7     University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
 3-8     allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
 3-9     entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
3-10           (d)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
3-11     section for one or more specified projects at an institution that
3-12     is not required for the specified projects may be used to renovate
3-13     existing structures and facilities at the institution.
3-14           (e)  The bonds authorized by Subsection (a)(1)(D) for Prairie
3-15     View A&M University may not be issued before March 1, 2003.
3-16           Sec. 55.1732.  THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
3-17     BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
3-18     subchapter, the board of regents of The University of Texas System
3-19     may issue in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with
3-20     a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board bonds
3-21     for the following institutions not to exceed the following
3-22     aggregate principal amounts to finance projects specified as
3-23     follows:
3-24                 (1)  The University of Texas at Arlington, $10,775,000
3-25     to construct a science building;
3-26                 (2)  The University of Texas at Brownsville,
3-27     $27,540,000 to construct a life and health science and education
 4-1     facility (Phase II);
 4-2                 (3)  The University of Texas at Dallas, $15 million to
 4-3     renovate Founders Hall, Founders Annex, and Berkner Hall;
 4-4                 (4)  The University of Texas at El Paso, $6,250,000 to
 4-5     construct a biomedical and health sciences research center;
 4-6                 (5)  The University of Texas--Pan American, $31.5
 4-7     million for education complex, library, and multipurpose center
 4-8     renovation and construction;
 4-9                 (6)  The University of Texas of the Permian Basin:
4-10                       (A)  $2.5 million for integrated Mesa Building
4-11     renovations; and
4-12                       (B)  $250,000 for gymnasium renovations;
4-13                 (7)  The University of Texas at San Antonio, $8,750,000
4-14     to construct a science building on the main campus;
4-15                 (8)  The University of Texas at Tyler, $9 million to
4-16     construct an engineering, sciences, and technology building;
4-17                 (9)  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
4-18     Center at Dallas, $40 million for North Campus phase IV
4-19     construction;
4-20                 (10)  The University of Texas Medical Branch at
4-21     Galveston, $18 million to renovate and expand research facilities;
4-22                 (11)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
4-23     Houston, $13,770,000 to construct a classroom building;
4-24                 (12)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
4-25     San Antonio, $16.2 million to construct a facility for student
4-26     services and academic administration;
4-27                 (13)  the Regional Academic Health Center established
 5-1     under Section 74.611, $27 million to construct a teaching and
 5-2     learning laboratory in or near the city of Harlingen;
 5-3                 (14)  The University of Texas Health Center at Tyler,
 5-4     $9,630,000 to construct a biomedical research center addition; and
 5-5                 (15)  The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
 5-6     Center, $13,847,328 to construct a basic sciences research
 5-7     building.
 5-8           (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
 5-9     bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of an institution,
5-10     branch, or entity of The University of Texas System, including
5-11     student tuition charges.  The amount of a pledge made under this
5-12     subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for
5-13     which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds,
5-14     are outstanding.
5-15           (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
5-16     meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
5-17     funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The University
5-18     of Texas System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
5-19     allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
5-20     entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
5-21           (d)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
5-22     section for one or more specified projects at an institution that
5-23     is not required for the specified projects may be used to renovate
5-24     existing structures and facilities at the institution.
5-25           Sec. 55.1733.  THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
5-26     BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
5-27     subchapter, the board of regents of the University of Houston
 6-1     System may issue in accordance with this subchapter and in
 6-2     accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by
 6-3     the board bonds  for the following institutions not to exceed the
 6-4     following aggregate principal amounts to finance projects specified
 6-5     as follows:
 6-6                 (1)  the University of Houston, $54 million to
 6-7     construct science and engineering research and classroom
 6-8     facilities;
 6-9                 (2)  the University of Houston--Downtown, $19,305,000
6-10     to construct a classroom building;
6-11                 (3)  the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $32,737,500
6-12     to construct a student services and classroom building; and
6-13                 (4)  the University of Houston--Victoria:
6-14                       (A)  $630,000 to remodel the University West
6-15     facility;
6-16                       (B)  $945,000 to acquire and renovate a facility
6-17     services building; and
6-18                       (C)  $1,215,000 to renovate and expand a facility
6-19     for the center for community initiatives.
6-20           (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
6-21     bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of an institution,
6-22     branch, or entity of the University of Houston System, including
6-23     student tuition charges.  The amount of a pledge made under this
6-24     subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for
6-25     which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds,
6-26     are outstanding.
6-27           (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
 7-1     meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
 7-2     funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University
 7-3     of Houston System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
 7-4     allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
 7-5     entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
 7-6           (d)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
 7-7     section for one or more specified projects at an institution that
 7-8     is not required for the specified projects may be used to renovate
 7-9     existing structures and facilities at the institution.
7-10           Sec. 55.1734.  TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
7-11     BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
7-12     subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas State University
7-13     System may issue in accordance with this subchapter and in
7-14     accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by
7-15     the board bonds for the following institutions not to exceed the
7-16     following aggregate principal amounts to finance projects specified
7-17     as follows:
7-18                 (1)  Angelo State University, $17,912,700 to expand and
7-19     renovate institutional facilities;
7-20                 (2)  Lamar University--Beaumont, $23,073,984 to
7-21     renovate and repair campus buildings;
7-22                 (3)  Lamar Institute of Technology, $5,613,840 to
7-23     renovate Gentry Hall and convert it to classroom and laboratory
7-24     use;
7-25                 (4)  Lamar State College--Orange, $2,250,000 for campus
7-26     site development;
7-27                 (5)  Lamar State College--Port Arthur:
 8-1                       (A)  $6.3 million to construct a performing arts
 8-2     and classroom building; and
 8-3                       (B)  $1,530,000 to expand the Gates Memorial
 8-4     Library and develop an adjacent plaza;
 8-5                 (6)  Sam Houston State University, $18 million to
 8-6     renovate and expand the Farrington Building;
 8-7                 (7)  Southwest Texas State University, $19,521,000 to
 8-8     construct a business building; and
 8-9                 (8)  Sul Ross State University:
8-10                       (A)  $13,050,000 to renovate and expand the range
8-11     animal science facility and adjacent science building; and
8-12                       (B)  $900,000 to replace and expand chiller
8-13     equipment and facilities.
8-14           (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
8-15     bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of an institution,
8-16     branch, or entity of the Texas State University System, including
8-17     student tuition charges.  The amount of a pledge made under this
8-18     subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for
8-19     which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds,
8-20     are outstanding.
8-21           (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
8-22     meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
8-23     funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas State
8-24     University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
8-25     allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
8-26     entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
8-27           (d)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
 9-1     section for one or more specified projects at an institution that
 9-2     is not required for the specified projects may be used to renovate
 9-3     existing structures and facilities at the institution.
 9-4           Sec. 55.1735.  UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
 9-5     BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
 9-6     subchapter, the board of regents of the University of North Texas
 9-7     System may issue in accordance with this subchapter and in
 9-8     accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by
 9-9     the board bonds  for the following institutions not to exceed the
9-10     following aggregate principal amounts to finance projects specified
9-11     as follows:
9-12                 (1)  the University of North Texas, $29,047,500 to
9-13     construct a science building; and
9-14                 (2)  the University of North Texas Health Science
9-15     Center at Fort Worth, $22,320,000 to construct a biotechnology
9-16     center and school of public health building.
9-17           (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
9-18     bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of the University of
9-19     North Texas or the University of North Texas Health Science Center
9-20     at Fort Worth, including student tuition charges.  The amount of a
9-21     pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated
9-22     while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to
9-23     refund those bonds, are outstanding.
9-24           (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
9-25     meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
9-26     funds between the University of North Texas and the University of
9-27     North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth to ensure the most
 10-1    equitable and efficient allocation of available resources for the
 10-2    University of North Texas and the University of North Texas Health
 10-3    Science Center at Fort Worth to carry out their duties and
 10-4    purposes.
 10-5          (d)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
 10-6    section for one or more specified projects at an institution that
 10-7    is not required for the specified projects may be used to renovate
 10-8    existing structures and facilities at the institution.
 10-9          Sec. 55.1736.  TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY. (a)  In addition to
10-10    the other authority granted by this subchapter, the board of
10-11    regents of Texas Woman's University may issue bonds in accordance
10-12    with this subchapter in the aggregate principal amount not to
10-13    exceed $27,315,000 to finance the renovation of academic and
10-14    administrative buildings at Texas Woman's University.
10-15          (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
10-16    bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of Texas Woman's
10-17    University, including student tuition charges.  The amount of a
10-18    pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated
10-19    while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to
10-20    refund those bonds, are outstanding.
10-21          (c)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
10-22    section for one or more specified projects that is not required for
10-23    the specified projects may be used to renovate existing structures
10-24    and facilities at the institution.
10-25          Sec. 55.1737.  MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS.
10-26    (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter,
10-27    the board of regents of Midwestern State University may issue in
 11-1    accordance with this subchapter bonds not to exceed the following
 11-2    aggregate principal amounts to finance the following projects at
 11-3    Midwestern State University:
 11-4                (1)  $3,060,000 to renovate and replace chilled water
 11-5    and chilling equipment and systems;
 11-6                (2)  $2,250,000 to renovate and replace HVAC equipment
 11-7    and systems; and
 11-8                (3)  $3,060,000 to repair and renovate streets and
 11-9    parking surfaces and to improve drainage and sewer systems.
11-10          (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
11-11    bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of Midwestern State
11-12    University, including student tuition charges.  The amount of a
11-13    pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated
11-14    while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to
11-15    refund those bonds, are outstanding.
11-16          (c)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
11-17    section for one or more specified projects that is not required for
11-18    the specified projects may be used to renovate existing structures
11-19    and facilities at the institution.
11-20          Sec. 55.1738.  STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY. (a)  In
11-21    addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the
11-22    board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State University may issue in
11-23    accordance with this subchapter bonds not to exceed the following
11-24    aggregate principal amounts to finance the following projects at
11-25    Stephen F. Austin State University:
11-26                (1)  $5,580,000 to construct a telecommunications
11-27    building and to renovate power plant facilities; and
 12-1                (2)  $5,220,000 to replace or renovate the Birdwell
 12-2    Building.
 12-3          (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
 12-4    bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of Stephen F. Austin
 12-5    State University, including student tuition charges.  The amount of
 12-6    a pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated
 12-7    while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to
 12-8    refund those bonds, are outstanding.
 12-9          (c)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
12-10    section for one or more specified projects that is not required for
12-11    the specified projects may be used to renovate existing structures
12-12    and facilities at the institution.
12-13          Sec. 55.1739.  TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
12-14    BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
12-15    subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas Tech University
12-16    System may issue in accordance with this subchapter and in
12-17    accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by
12-18    the board bonds for the following institutions not to exceed the
12-19    following aggregate principal amounts for projects specified as
12-20    follows:
12-21                (1)  Texas Tech University, $12,420,000 to construct a
12-22    food technology and animal science building; and
12-23                (2)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center:
12-24                      (A)  $24,194,273 to construct a clinical and
12-25    research facility in the city of Lubbock; and
12-26                      (B)  $40 million to construct facilities to
12-27    support its educational programs in the city of El Paso.
 13-1          (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
 13-2    bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of Texas Tech University
 13-3    or the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, including
 13-4    student tuition charges.  The amount of a pledge made under this
 13-5    subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for
 13-6    which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds,
 13-7    are outstanding.
 13-8          (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
 13-9    meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
13-10    funds between Texas Tech University and the Texas Tech University
13-11    Health Sciences Center to ensure the most equitable and efficient
13-12    allocation of available resources for Texas Tech University and the
13-13    Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center to carry out their
13-14    duties and purposes.
13-15          (d)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
13-16    section for one or more specified projects at an institution that
13-17    is not required for the specified projects may be used to renovate
13-18    existing structures and facilities at the institution.
13-19          Sec. 55.17391.  TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS.
13-20    (a)  In addition to other authority granted by this subchapter, the
13-21    board of regents of Texas Southern University may issue in
13-22    accordance with this subchapter bonds not to exceed the following
13-23    aggregate principal amounts to finance the following projects at
13-24    Texas Southern University:
13-25                (1)  $30 million to construct a science building;
13-26                (2)  $14.5 million to renovate campus facilities,
13-27    including electrical and piping systems;
 14-1                (3)  $5 million for campus landscaping;
 14-2                (4)  $14.5 million for campus renovations; and
 14-3                (5)  $15 million to construct a building for the school
 14-4    of public affairs.
 14-5          (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
 14-6    bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of Texas Southern
 14-7    University, including student tuition charges required or
 14-8    authorized by law to be imposed on students enrolled at the
 14-9    university.  The amount of a pledge made under this subsection may
14-10    not be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is
14-11    made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.
14-12          (c)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
14-13    section for one or more specified projects that is not required for
14-14    the specified projects may be used to renovate existing structures
14-15    and facilities at the institution.
14-16          (d)  The bonds authorized by Subsections (a)(4) and (5) may
14-17    not be issued before March 1, 2003.
14-18          Sec. 55.17392.  TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM. (a)
14-19    The board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System
14-20    may issue in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with
14-21    a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board bonds
14-22    for the following institutions not to exceed the following
14-23    aggregate principal amounts for projects specified as follows:
14-24                (1)  Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, $3.6
14-25    million to construct a facility for a learning resource center and
14-26    distance learning center;
14-27                (2)  Texas State Technical College--Marshall,
 15-1    $1,890,000 to construct a facility for a library and administrative
 15-2    activities;
 15-3                (3)  Texas State Technical College--Waco, $3.6 million
 15-4    to renovate the industrial technology center; and
 15-5                (4)  Texas State Technical College--West Texas,
 15-6    $2,430,000 to construct a transportation technologies building.
 15-7          (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
 15-8    bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of an institution,
 15-9    branch, or entity of the Texas State Technical College System,
15-10    including student tuition charges.  The amount of a pledge made
15-11    under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
15-12    bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
15-13    bonds, are outstanding.
15-14          (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
15-15    meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
15-16    funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas State
15-17    Technical College System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
15-18    allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
15-19    entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
15-20          (d)  Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
15-21    section for one or more specified projects at an institution that
15-22    is not required for the specified projects may be used to renovate
15-23    existing structures and facilities at the institution.
15-24          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
15-25    a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
15-26    provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
15-27    Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 16-1    Act takes effect September 1, 2001.