By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1146

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 55.1771, 55.1772, 55.1773, 55.1774, 55.1775, 55.1776, 55.1777, 55.1778, 55.1779, 55.1780, and 55.1781 to read as follows:

Sec. 55.1771. 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) Tarleton State University:

(A) $53,000,000 for the renovation and rehabilitation of the O.A. Grant Building, Joe Autry Agricultural Building, and the Engineering Technology Building;

(B) $26,000,000 for a Student Success Center and classroom building;

(C) $58,000,000 for a Special Events Center; and

(D) $29,000,000 for an Environmental and Agribusiness Research Building.

(2) Texas A&M University-Commerce:

(A) $23,250,000 for renovation of the University Library; and

(B) $11,250,000 for renovation of the Ferguson Auditorium and Hall of Languages Building;

(3) Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi:

(A) $75 million for a life sciences building;

(B) $50 million for a fine arts center; and

(C) $31,000,000 for a Learning Resource Center

(4) Texas A&M University-Kingsville:

(A) $70 million for a performing and visual arts educational complex; and

(B) $65 million for a natural resources/agriculture academic complex;

(5) Texas A&M University-Texarkana, $46 million for a classroom and office building;

(6) West Texas A&M University:

(A) $11 million for renovation of the engineering program building;

(B) $15 million for a nursing and health sciences building; and

(C) $13,000,000 for renovations for a Research Facility

(7) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center:

(A) $200 million for Health Science Center expansion in Bryan, Round Rock, and Temple, Texas; and

(B) $60 million for a Health Science Center education and research building in Dallas, Texas;

(8) Prairie View A&M University:

(A) $65 million for a classroom building for the College of Education and renovation of the current (Delco) building for academic purposes; and

(B) $15 million for facilities renewal for academic buildings;

(9) Texas A&M University, $95 million for facilities renewal;

(10) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $46 million for facilities renewal; and

(11) Texas A&M International University:

(A) $32,500,000 for an academic classroom building; and

(B) $12 million for library expansion and a support services building.

(12) Texas A&M System Centers:

(A) Texas A&M-Central Texas: $50,000,000 for a new Classroom/Lab/Office Building

(B) Texas A&M-San Antonio: $60,000,000 for a new Classroom/Lab/Office 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 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. 55.1772. 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:

(A) $31,000,000 for an Engineering Research Building; and

(B) $60,000,000 for a Nanofab building;

(2) The University of Texas at Austin:

(A) $100,000,000 for Phase II of the Liberal Arts building;

(B) $75,000,000 for the Battle Hall complex; and

(C) $150,000,000 for renovation of the core campus;

(3) The University of Texas at Brownsville, $63,000,000 for a Student Success Center;

(4) The University of Texas at Dallas, $140,000,000 for a Bio-engineering and Science building;

(5) The University of Texas at El Paso:

(A) $75,000,000 for the Honors and Student Leadership Institute; and

(B) $80,000,000 for upgrade and renovation of the fine arts center;

(6) The University of Texas-Pan American:

(A) $261,554 for the Starr County Upper-Level Center;

(B) $1,734,798 for the fine arts academic and performance complex;

(C) $40,000,000 College of Business Administration renovation and expansion ; and

(D) $50,000,000 for a research facility addition to the Science Complex;

(7) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin:

(A) $8,9000,000 for a science and technology complex;

(B) $7,430,000 million for an arts convocation and classroom facility at the CEED;

(C) $49,000,000 for an engineering building; and

(D) $12,000,000 for campus renovation;

(8) The University of Texas at San Antonio:

(A) $132,500,000 for an experimental science instructional building;

(B) $80,000,000 for an information and innovation library center; and

(C) $90,000,000 for a Multidimensional Visualization Center

(9) The University of Texas at Tyler

(A) $46,000,000 for a Technology and Life Sciences Building.

(10) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas:

(A) $60 million for the finish out of north campus (phase 5);and

(B) $50 million for south campus building renovation;

(11) The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, $40,000,000 for an education building;

(12) The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston:

(A) $11,000,000 for a replacement building for The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston;

(B) $35,000,000 for a research park complex; and

(C) $35,000,000 for expansion of the School of Public Health building;

(13) The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio:

(A) $20,000,000 for the South Texas Research Facility;

(B) $50,000,000 for an academic learning and teaching center building; and

(C) $20,000,000 for facilities and technology infrastructure upgrade;

(14) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center:

(A) $8,000,000 for the Center for Targeted Therapy research building; and

(B) $75,000,000 for a Basic Science Research Building II; and

(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. 55.1773. 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) $83,000,000 for a energy and wind research building;

(B) $75,000,000 for a bio-life sciences research building; and

(C) $27,000,000 for a multi-cultural studies and classroom complex;

(2) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $68,600,000 for an academic enrichment and research facility;

(3) the University of Houston--Downtown, $51,429,000 for a science and technology building; and

(4) the University of Houston-Victoria, $30,500,000 for a health and kinesiology education 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 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. 55.1774. 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) Lamar University:

(A) $25,000,000 for a new science building;

(B) $15,000,000 for a facilities management complex;

(C) $36,000,000 for renovation of academic buildings;

(D) $15,000,000 for a new administration services building;

(E) $5,000,000 for a new security and computing center;

(F) $10,000,000 for Addition II to the Cherry Engineering Building; and

(G) $2,000,000 for the land acquisition;

(2) Lamar State College-Orange:

(A) $3,600,000 for a workforce training center; and

(B) $6,000,000 for a multi-purpose educational building;

(3) Lamar State College-Port Arthur:

(A) $1,100,000 for an addition to the allied health building; and

(B) $1,500,000 for Phase 1 of the Central Plant;

(4) Lamar Institute of Technology:

(A) $12,000,000 for a student services learning support center; and

(B) $12,000,000 for the renovation of five technical arts buildings;

(5) Texas State University-San Marcos:

(A) $52,000,000 for a recital hall and theater center

(B) $73,366,977 for RRHEC-Health Professions #1;

(C) $79,425,175 for a music building;

(D) $24,849,899 for RRHEC-Health Professions #2; and

(E) $33,075,242 for an engineering and sciences building;

(6) Sam Houston State University:

(A) $37,000,000 for an integrated energy and technology building;

(B) $30,000,000 for a nursing, allied health, and biology building;

(C) $24,000,000 for the Texas Forensic Science Building; and

(D) $20,000,000 for an agriculture complex and academic building

(7) Sul Ross State University:

(A) $4,845,000 for the renovation of the industrial technology building; and

(B) $1,500,000 for a student success 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 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. 55.1775. 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 System, $40,000,000 for a College of Law;

(2) the University of North Texas, $63,000,000 for a College of Visual Arts and Design building; and

(3) the University of North Texas Dallas Campus, $18,500,000 for a second building.

(4) the University of North Texas Health Sciences Center. $90,000,000 for a new Research 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.

(d) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the University of North Texas System may not issue bonds under this section for facilities at the University of North Texas Dallas Campus until the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board certifies that enrollment at the University of North Texas Dallas Campus has reached an enrollment equivalent of 1,500 full-time students for one semester. If that enrollment is not reached by January 1, 2010, the system's authority to issue bonds for the University of North Texas Dallas Campus under this section expires on that date.

Sec. 55.1776. 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 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) $26,000,000 for a graduate research building;

(2) $17,500,000 for the renovation of the old main building;

(3) $9,500,000 for a new academic support and administrative support building; and

(4) $4,800,000 for infrastructure repair and upgrade.

(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. 55.1777. 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) $6,420,000 for Phase II of the renovation of the D. L. Ligon Building; and

(2) $40,000,000 for the reconstruction of the Moffett Library.

(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. 55.1778. 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 a molecular sciences building at Stephen F. Austin State University, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $46,000,000.

(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. 55.1779. 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) $72,000,000 for Lubbock Education/Research/Technology and renovation;

(B) $58,500,000 for the EL Paso Medical Science Building II;

(C) $27,000,000 for the El Paso Clinical Sciences Building;

(D) $12,600,000 for the Permian Basin medical education facility; and

(E) $14,850,000 for the Panhandle clinical/hospital simulation center;

(2) Texas Tech University:

(A) $95,000,000 for the expansion and renovation of the College of Engineering;

(B) $42,500,000 for a Plant and Soil Sciences Building; and

(C) $45,000,000 for a performing arts center; and

(3) Angelo State University:

(A) $40,000,000 for the College of Nursing and Allied Health;

(B) $35,000,000 for campus modernization and expansion; and

(C) $42,325,000 for a Performing Arts 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. 55.1780. 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) $46,000,000 for renovation of the Robert J. Terry Library;

(2) $9,450,000 for a Spearman technology building;

(3) $4,500,000 for Multi-purpose Academic Center;

(4) $30,000,000 for deferred maintenance;

(5) $5,000,000 for asbestos abatement and removal;

(6) $10,000,000 for campus infrastructure/beautification; and

(7) $4,000,000 for land acquisition/Multi-Purpose Academic 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 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. 55.1781. 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 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) Texas State Technical College-Harlingen, $8,000,000 to construct an academic building;

(2) Texas State Technical College-Brownwood, $3,000,000 to renovate an academic building;

(3) Texas State Technical College-Marshall, $2,500,000 for a diesel equipment technology building; and

(4)Texas State Technical College-Waco:

(A) $10,000,000 for a learning services center; and

(B) $5,000,000 for Phase II of the East Williamson County Education 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, 55.1744, [or] 55.1751-55.17592, or 55.1771-55.1781, 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, 55.1744 [or] 55.1751-55.17.592 , or 55.1771-55.1781, 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. 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 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 on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.