SRC-AMY S.B. 1297 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1297
78R6555 JSA-DBy: Ogden
Subcommittee on Higher Education
4/5/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's plan for higher education,
Closing the Gaps, states that the number of students attending college in
central Texas will increase by 50,000 in the next 10 to 12 years.
Southwest Texas State University and The University of Texas at Austin are
moving toward slowing their growth.  Currently, the Round Rock Higher
Education Center (RRHEC), which includes Southwest Texas State University,
Austin Community College, and Temple College at Taylor, serves about 1,800
students and is expected to serve twice as many by 2005. RRHEC needs a
permanent campus and the capacity to meet the expanding educational needs
of one of the fastest growing areas of the state. Additionally, current
Williamson County residents have to drive either to Austin or San Marcos
to attend an institution of higher education.  As proposed, S.B. 1297
authorizes the board of regents of the Texas State University System to
issue revenue bonds, not to exceed $27 million, to finance a
multi-institutional facility in Williamson County. 

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 Chapter 55B, Education Code, is amended 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, enlargement, or equipping of
property or related infrastructure for a multi-institutional education
center in Williamson County for Southwest Texas State University to offer
educational programs, support activities, and provide facilities for other
educational entities to further institutional efficiency and coordinate
educational programs. 

(b)  Authorizes the board to pledge irrevocably, to the payment of those
bonds, all or any part of the revenue of an institution, branch, or entity
of the Texas State University System, 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. 

(c)  Authorizes the board to transfer funds among institutions, branches,
and entities of the Texas State University System to ensure the most
equitable and efficient allocation of available resources for each
institution, branch, or entity to carry out its duties and purposes, if
sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations
under this section. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.