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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 property and 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) Texas A&M University--Commerce, $45 million for a |
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library and technology center; |
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(2) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $75 million |
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for a life sciences research building; |
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(3) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $42 million for |
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music building expansion and renovation of Jones Auditorium; |
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(4) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for |
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an academic and laboratory learning center; |
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(5) West Texas A&M University, $12 million for the |
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Amarillo Center; |
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(6) The Texas A&M University System Health Science |
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Center: |
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(A) $9 million for facilities in Round Rock, |
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Texas; |
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(B) $45 million for a research building in |
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Temple, Texas; and |
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(C) $80 million for an education center and |
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research building in Dallas, Texas; and |
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(7) Texas A&M International University: |
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(A) $52 million for library renovation, |
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additional instructional spaces, and a support services building; |
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and |
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(B) $11 million for an addition to the science |
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center. |
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(b) If the board of regents of The Texas A&M University |
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System provides funds from additional sources available to the |
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board, including the proceeds of bonds issued under Section 55.13, |
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but not including the proceeds of bonds issued under this section, |
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in an amount equal to one-half of the amount specified for each |
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project authorized below, the board may, in addition to the other |
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authority granted by this subchapter, acquire, purchase, |
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construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and |
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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) Prairie View A&M University, $5,333,333 for |
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critical deferred maintenance; |
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(2) Tarleton State University, $43,333,333 for the |
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Gates Agriculture and Business Building; |
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(3) Texas A&M University, $53,333,333 for a |
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biocontainment research facility; |
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(4) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $30,666,667 for |
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an academic building; |
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(5) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $33,333,333 |
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for a science, health science, and wellness building; and |
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(6) Texas A&M University--San Antonio: |
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(A) $46,666,667 for a science and technology |
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building; and |
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(B) $11 million for a central and physical plant |
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building. |
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(c) 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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(d) 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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(e) The board may not issue bonds under Subsection (a) until |
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the board makes the pledge of additional funds required to issue |
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bonds under Subsection (b). |
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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 property and 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) The University of Texas at Austin, $95 million for |
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an engineering education and research center; |
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(2) The University of Texas at Brownsville, $60 |
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million for a new campus; |
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(3) The University of Texas--Pan American, $98 million |
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for Science Building II; |
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(4) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical |
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Center at Dallas, $60 million for north campus Phase VI vivarium and |
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research facilities; |
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(5) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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San Antonio, $6 million for a South Texas diabetes institute; |
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(6) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer |
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Center, $50 million for a personalized cancer care building; and |
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(7) The University of Texas Medical Branch at |
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Galveston, $40 million for a health education center. |
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(b) If the board of regents of The University of Texas |
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System provides funds from additional sources available to the |
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board, including the proceeds of bonds issued under Section 55.13, |
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but not including the proceeds of bonds issued under this section, |
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in an amount equal to the amount specified for each project |
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authorized below, the board may, in addition to the other authority |
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granted by this subchapter, acquire, purchase, construct, improve, |
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renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including |
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roads and related infrastructure, for projects 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 for the following institutions, not to exceed |
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the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects |
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specified, as follows: |
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(1) The University of Texas at Arlington, $32,150,000 |
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for renovation of and addition to a life science building; |
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(2) The University of Texas at Dallas, $47,500,000 for |
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an engineering building; |
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(3) The University of Texas at El Paso, $40 million for |
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an interdisciplinary research facility; |
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(4) The University of Texas at San Antonio, |
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$46,375,000 for an experimental science instructional building; |
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(5) The University of Texas at Tyler, $24,250,000 for |
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a STEM and business complex and renovation of the business |
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building; |
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(6) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Houston, $58,450,000 for the renovation and modernization of |
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educational and research facilities; |
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(7) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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San Antonio, $4 million for an enhanced performance laboratory for |
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the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies; |
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(8) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Tyler, $2,502,500 for the Riter Center Primary Care Training Center |
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renovation; and |
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(9) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $30 |
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million for an engineering building. |
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(c) 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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(d) 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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(e) The board may not issue bonds under Subsection (a) until |
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the board makes the pledge of additional funds required to issue |
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bonds under Subsection (b). |
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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 property and facilities, including roads and |
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related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the |
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issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in |
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accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by |
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the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the |
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following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, |
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as follows: |
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(1) the University of Houston, $70 million for a |
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pharmacy and biomedical sciences building; |
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(2) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, |
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$75,600,000 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, $70 million |
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for campus expansion. |
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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 property and facilities, including roads and |
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related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the |
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issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in |
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accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by |
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the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the |
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following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, |
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as follows: |
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(1) Lamar University, $40 million for a science |
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building; |
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(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $21 million for a |
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multipurpose education building; |
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(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $2,500,000 for |
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an addition to the allied health building; |
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(4) Lamar Institute of Technology, $12 million for |
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renovation and replacement of the technical arts buildings; |
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(5) Texas State University--San Marcos: |
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(A) $56 million for a joint project with The |
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Texas A&M University System Health Science Center for a medical |
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education and research building in Round Rock, Texas; and |
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(B) $83 million for an engineering and science |
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building; and |
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(6) Sam Houston State University, $9,800,000 for an |
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agriculture engineering technology 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 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 |
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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 State |
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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. 55.1785. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH 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 North Texas |
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System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, |
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enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and |
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related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the |
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issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in |
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accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by |
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the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the |
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following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, |
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as follows: |
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(1) the University of North Texas System, $25 million |
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for college of law building renovations; |
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(2) the University of North Texas, $48 million for a |
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science and technology research facility; |
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(3) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $70 |
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million for a library and student success center; and |
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(4) the University of North Texas Health Science |
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Center at Fort Worth, $66,600,000 for an interdisciplinary research |
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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 |
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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 North 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. 55.1786. TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY. (a) In addition |
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to 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 property and |
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facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a |
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science and technology learning center, to be financed through the |
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issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed |
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the aggregate principal amount of $37,996,928. |
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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 |
|
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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 |
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subchapter, the board of regents of Midwestern State University may |
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acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip |
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property and facilities, including roads and related |
|
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infrastructure, for library, College of Education, and information |
|
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technology facilities at Midwestern State University, to be |
|
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financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this |
|
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subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of |
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$29,990,000. |
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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 |
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or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds |
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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 property |
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and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a |
|
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science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research |
|
|
building at Stephen F. Austin State University, to be financed |
|
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through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, |
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not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $50 million. |
|
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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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Stephen F. Austin State University, including student tuition |
|
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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 |
|
|
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 property and 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) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: |
|
|
(A) $40,500,000 for Lubbock education, research, |
|
|
and technology facilities; |
|
|
(B) $75 million for the El Paso Medical Science |
|
|
Building II; and |
|
|
(C) $17,010,000 for the Permian Basin academic |
|
|
facility; |
|
|
(2) Texas Tech University, $78,975,000 for a research |
|
|
building; and |
|
|
(3) Angelo State University, $16,758,000 for a health |
|
|
and human services 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 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 |
|
|
property and 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 $66,017,661. |
|
|
(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 and facilities, including roads and related |
|
|
infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of |
|
|
bonds in accordance with this subchapter for the following |
|
|
institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate principal |
|
|
amounts for the projects specified, as follows: |
|
|
(1) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, $3 |
|
|
million for Phase II of the Engineering Technology Center |
|
|
renovation; |
|
|
(2) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, |
|
|
$1,500,000 for renovation of aviation technology facilities; and |
|
|
(3) 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. |
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SECTION 2. Subsection (e), Section 61.0572, Education Code, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(e) Approval of the board is not required to acquire real |
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property that is financed by bonds issued under Section 55.17(e)(3) |
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or (4), 55.1713-55.1718, 55.1721-55.1728, 55.1735(a)(1), 55.174, |
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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. Subsection (b), Section 61.058, Education Code, |
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is amended to 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 |
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issued under those sections to determine whether the construction, |
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rehabilitation, or repair meets the standards adopted by board rule |
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for cost, efficiency, and space use. If the construction, |
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rehabilitation, or repair does not meet those standards, the board |
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shall notify the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of |
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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, 2013. |
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