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By: Morrison, Rose, McCall, Farabee, Branch, H.B. No. 153
et al.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds or other
obligations to fund capital projects at public institutions of
higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is
amended by adding Sections 55.1751, 55.1752, 55.1753, 55.1754,
55.1755, 55.1756, 55.1757, 55.1758, 55.1759, 55.17591, and
55.17592 to read as follows:
Sec. 55.1751. THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
subchapter, the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System
may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or
equip facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for
projects to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance
with this subchapter and in accordance with a systemwide revenue
financing program adopted by the board for the following
institutions and facilities not to exceed the following aggregate
principal amounts for the projects specified as follows:
(1) Prairie View A&M University:
(A) $15 million for deferred maintenance; and
(B) $10,097,000 for the Child and Family
Development Center;
(2) Tarleton State University:
(A) $12,360,000 for the Tarleton State
University Dairy Center;
(B) $27 million for a nursing building; and
(C) $27 million for the central plant loop;
(3) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $45 million
for educational and related facilities;
(4) Texas A&M University--Commerce:
(A) $21,770,000 for a music building; and
(B) $16 million for the renovation of the
library;
(5) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi:
(A) $20 million for a College of Business
academic facility;
(B) $50 million for a nursing, health sciences,
and kinesiology facility;
(C) $10 million for a library addition; and
(D) $10 million for the performing arts center
(phase II);
(6) Texas A&M University--Kingsville:
(A) $10,600,000 for the citrus center building;
(B) $17,600,000 for a natural resources
building;
(C) $6,300,000 for campuswide renovation,
including Rhode Hall; and
(D) $8,450,000 for a music building;
(7) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $91,715,000
for educational and related facilities;
(8) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $75 million for a
multipurpose library building and central plant;
(9) West Texas A&M University:
(A) $10,581,000 for agriculture/nursing building
renovation; and
(B) $18 million for classroom center renovation;
(10) The Texas A&M University System Health Science
Center:
(A) $51,562,500 for a nursing and health
professions education center;
(B) $45 million for a medical education and
research building in College Station, Texas;
(C) $45 million for a medical education and
research building in Temple, Texas; and
(D) $60 million for a dental education and
research building;
(11) Texas A&M University:
(A) $75 million for the Emerging Technologies
Interdisciplinary Building; and
(B) $75 million for the Engineering Science
Interdisciplinary Building;
(12) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $50 million
for a science building; and
(13) Texas A&M International University:
(A) $25 million for the student success center;
(B) $8,474,000 for Loop Road and Chill Water
Loop;
(C) $5,500,000 for the completion of the fine
arts theater; and
(D) $1,026,000 for the completion of kinesiology
facilities.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
an institution, branch, or entity of The Texas A&M University
System, 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.
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The Texas A&M
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.
Sec. 55.1752. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
subchapter, the board of regents of The University of Texas System
may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or
equip facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for
projects to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance
with this subchapter and in accordance with a systemwide revenue
financing program adopted by the board for the following
institutions not to exceed the following aggregate principal
amounts for the projects specified as follows:
(1) The University of Texas at Arlington, $70,430,000
for an Engineering Research Building;
(2) The University of Texas at Austin, $105 million
for the renovation of the Experimental Science Building;
(3) The University of Texas at Brownsville,
$33,800,000 for a Science and Technology Learning Center;
(4) The University of Texas at Dallas:
(A) $27 million for a math, science, and
engineering teaching-learning center;
(B) $23,650,000 for a student services building;
(C) $85 million for a natural science and
engineering research building;
(D) $9 million for the second floor and basement
renovation of the McDermott Library;
(E) $15 million for vivarium and experimental
space;
(F) $23 million for campus infrastructure; and
(G) $8 million for vehicular traffic
infrastructure;
(5) The University of Texas at El Paso:
(A) $85 million for a physical
sciences/engineering core facility; and
(B) $70 million for the College of Health
Sciences complex;
(6) The University of Texas--Pan American:
(A) $7,500,000 for the Starr County Upper Level
Center;
(B) $16,400,000 for a research facility addition
to the science complex;
(C) $15,500,000 for the College of Business
addition and alterations; and
(D) $49,745,000 for the fine arts academic and
performance complex;
(7) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin:
(A) $54 million for a science and technology
complex; and
(B) $45 million for an arts convocation and
classroom facility at the CEED;
(8) The University of Texas at San Antonio:
(A) $75 million for a math, science, and
technology classroom building; and
(B) $90 million for an engineering building
(phase II);
(9) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center at Dallas, $42 million for the north campus (phase 5);
(10) The University of Texas Medical Branch at
Galveston, $57 million for the Galveston National Laboratory;
(11) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston:
(A) $90 million for a replacement building for
The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston; and
(B) $15 million for research expansion (phase 3)
of the School of Public Health;
(12) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
San Antonio:
(A) $60 million for the South Texas Research
Facility;
(B) $20 million for a center for academic
medicine and clinical research; and
(C) $20 million for a faculty office building;
(13) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Tyler, $26,400,000 for an academic health center;
(14) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center, $40 million for a Center for Targeted Therapy research
building; and
(15) The University of Texas at Tyler:
(A) $7 million for the expansion of the Palestine
campus;
(B) $6 million for the expansion of the Longview
University Center;
(C) $35 million for a classroom building;
(D) $48 million for the completion, renovation,
and expansion of engineering and sciences facilities;
(E) $1,140,000 for the renovation of the Cowan
Center; and
(F) $1,860,000 for the renovation of the physical
plant.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
an institution, branch, or entity of The University of Texas
System, 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.
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The University
of Texas 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.
Sec. 55.1753. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
subchapter, the board of regents of the University of Houston
System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
enlarge, or equip facilities, including roads and related
infrastructure, for the following institutions, to be financed
through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter
and in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program
adopted by the board, in aggregate principal amounts not to exceed
the following:
(1) the University of Houston:
(A) $86 million for the Texas Medical Center
Teaching and Research Center;
(B) $64 million for renovation of science
laboratories;
(C) $37 million for the J. Davis Armistead
optometry addition and neuroscience research facilities; and
(D) $33 million for Bauer College of Business
building addition;
(2) the University of Houston--Clear Lake:
(A) $11,783,120 for arbor renovations and
additions;
(B) $3,472,230 for an animal care facility
(vivarium); and
(C) $1,704,805 for police department
administration facilities;
(3) the University of Houston--Downtown:
(A) $35,140,000 for a classroom building at Shea
Street;
(B) $16 million for the Northwest Corridor
Teaching Center; and
(C) $3,500,000 for library expansion; and
(4) the University of Houston--Victoria:
(A) $22,900,000 for an academic building at the
University of Houston System Center at Sugarland;
(B) $7,564,000 for student and administrative
support facilities;
(C) $7,466,000 for regional economic
development; and
(D) $1,800,000 for allied health facilities.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
an institution, branch, or entity of the University of Houston
System, 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.
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University
of Houston 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.
Sec. 55.1754. TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas State University
System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
enlarge, or equip facilities, including roads and related
infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of
bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with a
systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board for the
following institutions not to exceed the following aggregate
principal amounts for the projects specified as follows:
(1) Angelo State University:
(A) $13,725,000 for infrastructure improvements;
(B) $4,770,000 for administrative building
renovation;
(C) $4 million for property acquisitions;
(D) $2,100,000 for the Hardeman One-Stop Center;
(E) $1,500,000 for the archive warehouse;
(F) $1 million for fire and safety upgrades; and
(G) $750,000 for campus signage;
(2) Lamar University:
(A) $10 million for a facilities management
complex;
(B) $7 million for an administration services
building;
(C) $6 million for renovations and additions to
the Hayes biology facility;
(D) $5 million for renovations and additions to
the Lucas Engineering Building;
(E) $4 million for renovation of the music
building;
(F) $4 million for renovation of the Tom Maes
Building;
(G) $3 million for renovations and additions to
the university theatre;
(H) $2,500,000 for renovation of the art
building; and
(I) $2,500,000 for renovation of the health and
human performance complex;
(3) Lamar Institute of Technology, $4,200,000 for the
renovation of technical arts facilities;
(4) Lamar State College--Orange, $1,837,280 for
Hibernia acquisition;
(5) Lamar State College--Port Arthur:
(A) $2,055,000 for a computer/learning center;
and
(B) $1,500,000 for the campus central plant;
(6) Sul Ross State University:
(A) $2 million for the renovation and conversion
of Lawrence Hall;
(B) $4,845,000 for the renovation of the
Industrial Technology Building; and
(C) $3,800,000 for the renovation and
replacement of underground utilities;
(7) Texas State University--San Marcos:
(A) $42,700,000 for an undergraduate academic
center;
(B) $37,250,000 for a fine arts and
communications center; and
(C) $40 million for facilities for the Round Rock
Higher Education Center in Williamson County (phase II); and
(8) Sam Houston State University, $10 million for the
construction of a center for the performing arts (phase I).
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
an institution, branch, or entity of the Texas State University
System, 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.
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
meet its obligations under this section, the board may 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.
Sec. 55.1755. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
subchapter, the board of regents of the University of North Texas
System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
enlarge, or equip facilities, including roads and related
infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of
bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with a
systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board for the
following institutions and facilities not to exceed the following
aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified as follows:
(1) the University of North Texas:
(A) $30 million for a utility plant;
(B) $30 million for a life science building; and
(C) $50 million for the construction of a College
of Business administration building;
(2) the University of North Texas Health Science
Center at Fort Worth, $41,972,400 for campus expansion and
construction of a public health education building;
(3) the University of North Texas Law School,
$20,200,000 for educational and related facilities; and
(4) the University of North Texas Dallas Campus, $38
million for a general academic building.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
an institution, branch, or entity of the University of North Texas
System, 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.
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University
of North Texas 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.
Sec. 55.1756. TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY. (a) In addition to
the other authority granted by this subchapter, the board of
regents of Texas Woman's University may acquire, purchase,
construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip facilities,
including roads and related infrastructure, for renovations and
additions to the science building on the Denton campus of Texas
Woman's University, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in
accordance with this subchapter in an aggregate principal amount
not to exceed $24,155,235.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
Texas Woman's 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.
Sec. 55.1757. MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL
BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
subchapter, the board of regents of Midwestern State University may
acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip
facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for
projects at Midwestern State University, to be financed through the
issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter not to exceed
the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects
specified as follows:
(1) $10,700,000 for the renovation of the D. L. Ligon
Building;
(2) $3 million for the Performing Arts Center;
(3) $3 million for the Fowler Engineering Building;
(4) $1,500,000 for university parking lots and road
repair;
(5) $1 million for the renovation of Bolin Science
Hall;
(6) $500,000 for the repair and replacement of campus
roofs; and
(7) $300,000 for the renovation of the McGaha
Building.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
Midwestern 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.
Sec. 55.1758. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY. (a) In
addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the
board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State University may acquire,
purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip
facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for
projects at Stephen F. Austin University, to be financed through
the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter not to
exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects
specified as follows:
(1) $25,222,500 for an education research facility;
(2) $19,450,000 for a physical plant/campus services
complex;
(3) $17,725,000 for a campus deferred maintenance
reduction plan;
(4) $14,483,000 for a nursing building; and
(5) $6,274,500 for the renovation of the Stephen F.
Austin Theater.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
Stephen F. Austin 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.
Sec. 55.1759. TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas Tech University
System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
enlarge, or equip facilities, including roads and related
infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of
bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with a
systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board not to
exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects
specified as follows:
(1) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center:
(A) $95 million for the El Paso Medical Science
Building II;
(B) $20 million for the biomedical research
facility;
(C) $12 million for the Amarillo research
facility;
(D) $8,900,000 for the School of Pharmacy
expansion in Amarillo;
(E) $7 million for the El Paso Medical Science
Building I fit out and backfill renovation; and
(F) $4,600,000 for the School of Pharmacy in
Dallas; and
(2) Texas Tech University:
(A) $50 million for a classroom modernization
project;
(B) $50 million for the expansion and renovation
of College of Engineering facilities;
(C) $25 million for the renovation of a classroom
building;
(D) $25 million for the Rawls College of Business
Administration building; and
(E) $7,500,000 for a law school trial
advocacy/education center.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
an institution, branch, or entity of the Texas Tech University
System, 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.
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas Tech
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.
Sec. 55.17591. TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL
BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
subchapter, the board of regents of Texas Southern University may
acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip
facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for
projects at Texas Southern University, to be financed through the
issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter not to exceed
the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects
specified as follows:
(1) $46 million for the Robert Terry Library;
(2) $45 million for a fine arts building;
(3) $35 million for the School of Science and
Technology;
(4) $33 million for a campus infrastructure project;
(5) $30 million for a multipurpose Academic Center
(MAC);
(6) $15 million for deferred maintenance projects; and
(7) $5 million for a research center on human and
materials science performance.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
Texas Southern 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.
Sec. 55.17592. TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM. (a)
In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the
board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System may
acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip
property, buildings, structures, facilities, roads, or related
infrastructure for projects to be financed by the issuance of bonds
in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with a
systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board for the
following institutions not to exceed the following aggregate
principal amounts for the projects specified as follows:
(1) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen:
(A) $4 million for the construction of an
academic building;
(B) $1,410,000 for the construction of streets;
(C) $1,115,000 for the demolition of World War II
era buildings and portable buildings;
(D) $760,000 for the development of sidewalks,
landscaping, lighting, and irrigation; and
(E) $200,000 for the development of signage and
wayfinding;
(2) Texas State Technical College--Marshall,
$2,300,000 for a diesel equipment technology building;
(3) Texas State Technical College--Waco:
(A) $10 million for a learning services center;
(B) $4,000,500 for lighting and utility
replacement; and
(C) $3,472,800 for HVAC replacement; and
(4) Texas State Technical College--West Texas:
(A) $1,972,575 for remodeling the Brownwood
Center; and
(B) $1,811,758 for remodeling the Abilene
Center.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of an institution,
branch, or entity of the Texas State Technical College System,
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.
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas State
Technical College 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.
SECTION 2. Section 61.0572(e), 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, 55.1735(a)(1), 55.174,
55.1742, 55.1743, [or] 55.1744, or 55.1751-55.17592, 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 3. Section 61.058(b), 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, 55.174, 55.1742,
55.1743, [or] 55.1744, or 55.1751-55.17592, 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 4. Section 1371.001(4), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(4) "Issuer" means:
(A) a home-rule municipality that:
(i) adopted its charter under Section 5,
Article XI, Texas Constitution;
(ii) has a population of 50,000 or more; and
(iii) has outstanding long-term
indebtedness that is rated by a nationally recognized rating agency
for municipal securities in one of the four highest rating
categories for a long-term obligation;
(B) a conservation and reclamation district
created and organized as a river authority under Section 52,
Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution;
(C) a joint powers agency organized and operating
under Chapter 163, Utilities Code;
(D) a metropolitan rapid transit authority or
regional transportation authority created, organized, and
operating under Chapter 451 or 452, Transportation Code;
(E) a conservation and reclamation district
organized or operating as a navigation district under Section 52,
Article III, or Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution;
(F) a district organized or operating under
Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, that has all or part of
two or more municipalities within its boundaries;
(G) a state agency, including a state institution
of higher education;
(H) a hospital authority created or operating
under Chapter 262 or 264, Health and Safety Code, in a county that:
(i) has a population of more than 3.3
million; or
(ii) is included, in whole or in part, in a
standard metropolitan statistical area of this state that includes
a county with a population of more than 2.2 million;
(I) a hospital district in a county that has a
population of more than two million;
(J) a nonprofit corporation organized to
exercise the powers of a higher education loan authority under
Section 53B.47(e), Education Code;
(K) a county:
(i) that has a population of 3.3 million or
more; or
(ii) that, on the date of issuance of
obligations under this chapter, has authorized, outstanding, or any
combination of authorized and outstanding, indebtedness of at least
$100 million secured by and payable from the county's ad valorem
taxes and the authorized long-term indebtedness of which is rated
by a nationally recognized rating agency of securities issued by
local governments in one of the four highest rating categories for a
long-term obligation;
(L) an independent school district that has an
average daily attendance of 50,000 or more as determined under
Section 42.005, Education Code;
(M) a municipality or county operating under
Chapter 334, Local Government Code; [or]
(N) a district created under Chapter 335, Local
Government Code; or
(O) a junior college district that has a total
headcount enrollment of 40,000 or more based on enrollment in the
most recent regular semester.
SECTION 5. This Act does not affect any authority or
restriction regarding the activities that a public institution of
higher education may conduct in connection with a facility financed
by bonds authorized by this Act.
SECTION 6. 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 on the 91st day after the last day of the
legislative session.