SRC-AMY C.S.H.B. 2522 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 2522 78R17779 JSA-DBy: Krusee (Ogden) Education 5-23-2003 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Southwest Texas State University Multi-Institution Teaching Center combines the efforts of Southwest Texas State University, Austin Community College, and Temple College at Taylor to offer educational opportunities to North Austin and Williamson County. The teaching center offers workforce training, short certificate programs, and bachelor's and master's degree programs. Currently, courses can only be offered at night because the only available classrooms are located in portable buildings at local high schools. Course offerings are also restricted due to lack of classroom space, which limits the continued growth and number of programs that can be offered. C.S.H.B. 2522 authorizes the board of regents for the University of North Texas System to issue bonds in a certain amount for projects of the University of North Texas System Center at Dallas at the location to become the University of North Texas at Dallas. C.S.H.B. 2522 authorizes the Texas State University System's board of regents to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property, buildings, structures, or other facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for the Southwest Texas State University Multi-Institution Teaching Center, primarily to address the Central Texas high growth corridor as identified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. This bill authorizes the projects to be financed by the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, including bonds issued in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program and secured as provided by that program in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $26 million. C.S.H.B. 2522 sets forth the process for issuing bonds for this purpose. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 55.1735(a), Education Code, to authorizes the board of regents of the University of North Texas System, in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, to issue in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board bonds for the following institutions not to exceed certain aggregate principal amounts to finance certain projects, including $52,933,750 to construct a science building and to develop the campus and facilities of the University of North Texas System Center at Dallas at the location to become the University of North Texas at Dallas, as well as other projects. SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, by adding Section 55.1744, as follows: Sec. 55.1744. SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS (a) Authorizes the board of regents of the Texas State University System (board), in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, to issue bonds in accordance with this subchapter in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $27 million to finance the acquisition, purchase, construction, improvement, renovation, enlargment, or equipping of property, buildings, structures, facilities, or related infrastructure for a multi-institutional education center for Williamson County for Southwest Texas State Univiersity to offer educational programs and supporting activities and provide facilities for other educational entities to further institutional efficiency and coordinate educational progams. (b) Authorizes the board to pledge irrevocably to the payment of those bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of Southwest Texas State University, including student tuition charges. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding. SECTION 3. Amends Section 61.0572(e), Education Code, to include a reference to Section 55.1735(a)(1) and Section 55.1744. SECTION 4. Amends Section 61.058(b), Education Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.