BILL ANALYSIS
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Under current law, The Texas A&M University System does not have the authority to enter into an agreement to lease land or facilities for construction on the university's main campus in College Station. As a result, Texas A&M cannot accept a donation for the construction of an academic facility. The University of Texas at Austin has this authority and has entered into similar agreements in the past. As proposed, S.B. 1883 grants this authority so that Texas A&M University System can enter into an agreement with a donor. The agreement must include a transfer of title to the system upon completion of construction. Legislative permission would be necessary before a facility could be built for non-educational related purposes.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 85.15 [sic], Education Code, to authorize the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System (board) to enter into an agreement, including a ground lease, for construction of an office, laboratory, and classroom building to be funded by a donor, on a site not to exceed five acres on the original main campus. Requires the agreement to provide that title to the building shall be transferred to the board upon completion. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
[Bill as drafted contains two contradictory section numbers: Section 85.15 and 85.25.]
SECTION 2. Effective date:
EFFECTIVE DATE
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, 2005.