BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 504
81R4508 JRJ-D By: Ogden
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
On December 10, 1993, the Texas A&M University Board of Regents (board) ground leased 5.0 acres to the Texas A&M Foundation (foundation) for the purposes of constructing the Jon L. Hagler Center. Section 85.25 (Lands and Mineral Interests) of the Education Code currently authorizes the board to lease to the foundation an area that does not exceed five acres on the original main campus of Texas A&M University.
The Texas Department of Transportation is developing a project to construct a railroad bridge and pedestrian bridge separation at Wellborn Road and George Bush Drive in College Station. The grade separation will result in loss of property currently under lease to the foundation, reducing the current parking area. The foundation is requesting an amendment to its ground lease to include an unused portion of the original main campus, which is west of the current ground lease. This area is estimated to be approximately 1.9 acres after the loss of property related to the grade separation at George Bush Drive and Wellborn Road. All other terms of the original 1993 lease will remain the same.
As proposed, S.B. 504, amends the Education Code to authorize the board to amend the ground lease with the Texas A&M Foundation to increase the lease premises from 5.0 acres to no more than 8.0 acres.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 85.25(c)(3), Education Code, to further authorize the Texas A&M University Board of Regents to grant to the Texas A&M Foundation (foundation) a lease of surface area not to exceed eight, rather than five, acres on the original main campus for use by the foundation to construct and occupy a building for use consistent with the foundation's stated purposes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.