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.