S.B. No. 1297




AN ACT

relating to financing authority for certain institutions of higher 
education for facilities.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subsection (a), Section 55.1735, Education Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this 
subchapter, the board of regents of the University of North Texas 
System may 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 the 
following aggregate principal amounts to finance projects 
specified as follows:
		(1)  the University of North Texas, $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; 
and
		(2)  the University of North Texas Health Science 
Center at Fort Worth, $27.5 million to construct a biotechnology 
center and school of public health building.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 55.1744 to read as follows:
	Sec. 55.1744.  SOUTHWEST TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL 
BONDS.  (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this 
subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas State University 
System may 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, buildings, structures, 
facilities, or related infrastructure for a multi-institutional 
education center in Williamson County for Southwest Texas State 
University to offer educational programs and supporting activities 
and provide facilities for other educational entities to further 
institutional efficiency and coordinate educational programs.
	(b)  The board may 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.  The amount of a 
pledge made 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.
	SECTION 3.  Subsection (e), Section 61.0572, Education Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
	(e)  Approval of the board is not required to acquire real 
property that is financed by bonds issued under Section 55.17(e)(3) 
or (4), 55.1713-55.1718, 55.1721-55.1728, [or] 55.174, or 55.1744, 
except that the board shall review all real property to be financed 
by bonds issued under those sections to determine whether the 
property meets the standards adopted by the board for cost, 
efficiency, and space use.  If the property does not meet those 
standards, the board shall notify the governor, the lieutenant 
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the 
Legislative Budget Board.
	SECTION 4.  Subsection (b), Section 61.058, Education Code, 
is amended to read as follows:
	(b)  This section does not apply to construction, repair, or 
rehabilitation financed by bonds issued under Section 55.17(e)(3) 
or (4), 55.1713-55.1718, 55.1721-55.1728, [or] 55.174, or 55.1744, 
except that the board shall review all construction, repair, or 
rehabilitation to be financed by bonds issued under those sections 
to determine whether the construction, rehabilitation, or repair 
meets the standards adopted by board rule for cost, efficiency, and 
space use.  If the construction, rehabilitation, or repair does not 
meet those standards, the board shall notify the governor, the 
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, 
and the Legislative Budget Board.
	SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.

                                                                              




______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1297 passed the Senate on 
May 9, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 0.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1297 passed the House on 
May 28, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 129, Nays 0, two 
present not voting.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor