79R4280 KSD-D

By:  Krusee                                                       H.B. No. 797



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds for Texas 
State University--San Marcos for the Round Rock Higher Education 
Center in Williamson County.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 55.1754 to read as follows:
	Sec. 55.1754.  TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY--SAN MARCOS; 
ADDITIONAL BONDS.  (a)  In addition to the other authority granted 
by this subchapter, including the authority granted by Section 
55.1744, 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 $40 million to finance the 
acquisition, purchase, construction, improvement, renovation, 
enlargement, or equipping of property, buildings, structures, 
facilities, or related infrastructure for the Round Rock Higher 
Education Center in Williamson County for Texas State 
University--San Marcos 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 Texas State 
University--San Marcos, 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 2.  Section 55.1744, Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:  
	Sec. 55.1744.  [SOUTHWEST] TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY--SAN 
MARCOS; 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 
the Round Rock Higher Education Center [a multi-institutional 
education center] in Williamson County for [Southwest] Texas State 
University--San Marcos 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--San Marcos, 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.  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 55.1754, 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.  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 55.1754, 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, 2005.