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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund |
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capital projects at public institutions of higher education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Sections 55.1781, 55.1782, 55.1783, 55.1784, |
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55.1785, 55.1786, 55.1787, 55.1788, 55.1789, 55.17891, and |
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55.17892 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 55.1781. THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
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subchapter, the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System |
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may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or |
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equip facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for |
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projects to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance |
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with this subchapter and in accordance with a systemwide revenue |
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financing program adopted by the board for the following |
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institutions and facilities not to exceed the following aggregate |
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principal amounts for the projects specified as follows: |
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(1) Tarleton State University, $27,150,000 for |
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instructional and student success space renovation; |
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(2) Texas A&M University--Commerce, $45,900,000 for |
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renovation of the University Library and a distance education |
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technology center; |
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(3) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $75 million |
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for a life sciences building; |
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(4) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $40 million for |
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a music building expansion and renovation and acoustical |
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modifications to Jones Auditorium; |
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(5) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for |
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nursing, allied health sciences, and College of Business classroom |
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facilities; |
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(6) West Texas A&M University, $20 million for |
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academic facility expansion, renovation, and construction; |
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(7) The Texas A&M University System Health Science |
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Center, $55 million for a medical education and research building |
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in Bryan, Texas; |
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(8) Prairie View A&M University, $17,559,310 for a |
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multipurpose classroom and laboratory building; |
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(9) Texas A&M University, $115 million for a |
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veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences education building; |
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(10) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $45 million |
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for the rehabilitation and expansion of infrastructure and the |
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central plant; |
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(11) Texas A&M International University, $50 million |
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for library expansion for additional instructional spaces and |
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construction of a support services building; |
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(12) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $60 million |
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for a library/multipurpose building; and |
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(13) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $45 million |
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for an academic classroom and library building. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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an institution, branch, or entity of The Texas A&M University |
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System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
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made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
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bonds, are outstanding. |
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(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
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meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
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funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The Texas A&M |
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University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
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allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
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entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
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Sec. 55.1782. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
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subchapter, the board of regents of The University of Texas System |
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may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or |
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equip facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for |
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projects to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance |
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with this subchapter and in accordance with a systemwide revenue |
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financing program adopted by the board for the following |
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institutions not to exceed the following aggregate principal |
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amounts for the projects specified as follows: |
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(1) The University of Texas at Arlington, $74,800,000 |
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for a life science building; |
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(2) The University of Texas at Austin, $100 million |
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for an engineering education and research center; |
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(3) The University of Texas at Brownsville, $63 |
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million for a student success center; |
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(4) The University of Texas at Dallas, $76,500,000 for |
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a bioengineering and science building; |
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(5) The University of Texas at El Paso, $90 million for |
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an interdisciplinary research facility (Barry/Burges Hall |
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replacement); |
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(6) The University of Texas--Pan American: |
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(A) $48,368,000 for the Science Building II; and |
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(B) $46 million for College of Business |
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renovation and expansion; |
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(7) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin: |
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(A) $53,500,000 for the construction of a College |
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of Engineering building; and |
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(B) $18 million for campus renovation and repair; |
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(8) The University of Texas at San Antonio, |
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$92,750,000 for an experimental science instructional building; |
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(9) The University of Texas at Tyler, $46 million for a |
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technology and life sciences building; |
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(10) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical |
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Center at Dallas, $52 million for south campus building renovation |
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and repair; |
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(11) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Houston, $54 million for the renovation and modernization of |
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educational and research facilities; |
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(12) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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San Antonio: |
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(A) $6 million for a South Texas diabetes |
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institute; and |
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(B) $55 million for an academic learning and |
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teaching center building; |
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(13) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Tyler, $27,792,000 for Phase II of the Academic Center; and |
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(14) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer |
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Center, $50 million for a Basic Science Research Building II. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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an institution, branch, or entity of The University of Texas |
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System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
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made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
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bonds, are outstanding. |
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(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
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meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
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funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The University |
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of Texas System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
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allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
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entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
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Sec. 55.1783. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
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subchapter, the board of regents of the University of Houston |
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System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, |
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enlarge, or equip facilities, including roads and related |
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infrastructure, for the following institutions, to be financed |
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through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter |
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and in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program |
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adopted by the board, in aggregate principal amounts not to exceed |
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the following: |
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(1) the University of Houston: |
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(A) $89,500,000 for a nanotechnology science and |
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engineering research building; |
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(B) $47,300,000 for a new pharmacy building; and |
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(C) $65 million for central plant renewal and |
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utility infrastructure deferred maintenance; |
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(2) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, |
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$68,600,000 for a science and academic support building; |
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(3) the University of Houston--Downtown, $41,429,000 |
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for a science and technology building; and |
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(4) the University of Houston--Victoria, $61,500,000 |
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for an academic/office/laboratory facility. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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an institution, branch, or entity of the University of Houston |
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System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
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made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
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bonds, are outstanding. |
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(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
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meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
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funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University |
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of Houston System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
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allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
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entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
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Sec. 55.1784. TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
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subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas State University |
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System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, |
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enlarge, or equip facilities, including roads and related |
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infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of |
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bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with a |
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systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board for the |
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following institutions not to exceed the following aggregate |
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principal amounts for the projects specified as follows: |
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(1) Lamar University, $25 million for the construction |
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of a new science building; |
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(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $6,410,000 for a |
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workforce training center; |
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(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $2 million for |
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an addition to the allied health building; |
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(4) Lamar Institute of Technology: |
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(A) $12 million for a student services and |
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learning support center; and |
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(B) $12 million for the renovation/replacement |
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of the technical arts buildings; |
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(5) Texas State University--San Marcos: |
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(A) $48,820,000 for the construction of the |
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RRHEC-Health Professions Building #1; |
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(B) $31,900,000 for the construction of the |
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RRHEC-Health Professions Building #2; |
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(C) $56,705,000 for the construction of a music |
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building; and |
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(D) $70 million for the construction of a new |
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engineering and science building; |
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(6) Sam Houston State University: |
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(A) $39,650,000 for a biology, nursing, and |
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allied health building; |
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(B) $19,575,000 for a forensic science building; |
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and |
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(C) $24,881,000 for construction of an |
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agriculture complex and academic building; and |
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(7) Sul Ross State University, $7,500,000 for the |
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campus boiler and other related infrastructure replacement. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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an institution, branch, or entity of the Texas State University |
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System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
|
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made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
|
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
|
|
bonds, are outstanding. |
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(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
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meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
|
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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. |
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Sec. 55.1785. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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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, |
|
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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 |
|
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systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board for the |
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following institutions and facilities not to exceed the following |
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aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified as follows: |
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(1) the University of North Texas System, $46 million |
|
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for college of law building renovations; |
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(2) the University of North Texas: |
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(A) $63 million for a College of Visual Arts and |
|
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Design building; and |
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(B) $48 million for a science and technology |
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research facility; |
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(3) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $63 |
|
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million for a library and student success center; and |
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(4) the University of North Texas Health Sciences |
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|
Center, $66,600,000 for an interdisciplinary research building. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
|
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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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 |
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
|
|
bonds, are outstanding. |
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(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
|
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meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
|
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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 |
|
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entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
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Sec. 55.1786. TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY. (a) In addition to |
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the other authority granted by this subchapter, the board of |
|
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regents of Texas Woman's University may acquire, purchase, |
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construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip facilities, |
|
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including roads and related infrastructure, for projects to be |
|
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financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this |
|
|
subchapter not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts |
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for the projects specified as follows: |
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(1) $42 million for the demolition of the graduate |
|
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research building and construction of a new graduate research |
|
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building; |
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(2) $17,500,000 for Phase II of the old main building |
|
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renovation; |
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(3) $9,500,000 for academic and administrative |
|
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support services facilities; and |
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(4) $5,600,000 for Phase III of infrastructure |
|
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upgrades. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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Texas Woman's University, including student tuition charges. The |
|
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amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or |
|
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abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds |
|
|
issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding. |
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Sec. 55.1787. MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
|
|
subchapter, the board of regents of Midwestern State University may |
|
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acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip |
|
|
facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for |
|
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library, College of Education, and student academic services |
|
|
facilities at Midwestern State University, to be financed through |
|
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the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter not to |
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exceed the aggregate principal amount of $58,985,500. |
|
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
|
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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Midwestern State University, including student tuition charges. |
|
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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. |
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Sec. 55.1788. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY. (a) In |
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addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the |
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board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State University may acquire, |
|
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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 $50 |
|
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million. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
|
|
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
|
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Stephen F. Austin State University, including student tuition |
|
|
charges. The amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not |
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be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is |
|
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made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding. |
|
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Sec. 55.1789. TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
|
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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: |
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(1) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: |
|
|
(A) $40,500,000 for Lubbock |
|
|
education/research/technology facilities; |
|
|
(B) $58,500,000 for the El Paso Medical Science |
|
|
Building II; |
|
|
(C) $27 million for the El Paso Clinical Sciences |
|
|
Building; |
|
|
(D) $17,010,000 for the Permian Basin academic |
|
|
facility; and |
|
|
(E) $14,850,000 for the Amarillo Panhandle |
|
|
clinical/hospital simulation center; |
|
|
(2) Texas Tech University: |
|
|
(A) $81 million for the expansion and renovation |
|
|
of the College of Engineering; and |
|
|
(B) $78,975,000 for the Experimental Science |
|
|
Building II; and |
|
|
(3) Angelo State University, $14,580,000 for the |
|
|
College of Nursing and Allied Health. |
|
|
(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. 55.17891. 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 the |
|
|
Robert J. Terry Library at Texas Southern University, to be |
|
|
financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this |
|
|
subchapter not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of |
|
|
$64,518,444. |
|
|
(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. 55.17892. 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, $5 |
|
|
million for Phase II of the energy/engineering center renovation; |
|
|
(2) Texas State Technical College--West Texas: |
|
|
(A) $1 million for the energy management system; |
|
|
and |
|
|
(B) $2 million for a diesel technologies center; |
|
|
(3) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $2 |
|
|
million for a transportation technologies center; and |
|
|
(4) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $5 million |
|
|
for water system infrastructure replacement. |
|
|
(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, 55.1751-55.17592, 55.1768, 55.1771, |
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[or] 55.17721, or 55.1781-55.17892, except that the board shall |
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review all real property to be financed by bonds issued under those |
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|
sections to determine whether the property meets the standards |
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|
adopted by the board for cost, efficiency, and space use. If the |
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property does not meet those standards, the board shall notify the |
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governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of |
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|
representatives, and the Legislative Budget Board. |
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SECTION 3. Section 61.058(b), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) This section does not apply to construction, repair, or |
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rehabilitation financed by bonds issued under Section 55.17(e)(3) |
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or (4), 55.1713-55.1718, 55.1721-55.1728, 55.174, 55.1742, |
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55.1743, 55.1744, 55.1751-55.17592, 55.1768, 55.1771, [or] |
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|
55.17721, or 55.1781-55.17892, except that the board shall review |
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|
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. |
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|
SECTION 4. This Act does not affect any authority or |
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|
restriction regarding the activities that a public institution of |
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|
higher education may conduct in connection with a facility financed |
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|
by bonds authorized by this Act. |
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|
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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|
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |