BILL ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 93

By: Villarreal

Ways & Means

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Texas public universities that need to build additional facilities to accommodate a growing student body have limited options for financing construction of the new facilities. 

H.J.R. 93, the enabling legislation for H.B. 3111, addresses this challenge in Bexar County by proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit the county to issue bonds to finance the construction of a higher education facility.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 93 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to authorize the legislature by general law to authorize Bexar County to issue bonds or notes to finance the acquisition of real property and construction of a building or facility on the property for use by an institution of higher education selected by the county, and to pledge for repayment of those bonds or notes increases in revenues from property taxes imposed by the county and other political subdivisions on property in an area of the county designated by the county that includes the real property on which the building or facility is proposed to be located or is located. The resolution sets forth ballot language for the proposed amendment.

ELECTION DATE

The constitutional amendment proposed by this joint resolution will be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2009.