BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 100

 

By: Zerwas et al. (Seliger)

 

Higher Education

 

4/27/2015

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

This bill authorizes capital construction at 64 public higher education campuses in Texas at a cost of $3.1 billion.

 

H.B. 100 amends current law relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects at public institutions of higher education.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, by adding Sections 55.1781, 55.1782, 55.1783, 55.1784, 55.1785, 55.1786, 55.1787, 55.1788, 55.1789, 55.17891, and 55.17892, as follows:

 

Sec. 55.1781. THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System (board) to 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, in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, as follows:

 

(1) Texas A&M University (TAMU)--Commerce, $48 million for construction of a nursing and health sciences building;

 

(2) TAMU--Corpus Christi, $60 million for construction of a life sciences research and engineering building;

 

(3) TAMU--Kingsville, $60 million for an educational complex;

 

(4) TAMU--Texarkana, $32 million for construction of an academic and student services building;

 

(5) West Texas A&M University:

 

(A)  $38,160,000 for construction of an agricultural sciences complex; and

 

(B)  $7,200,000 for renovation of the Amarillo Center;

 

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

 

(A) $72 million for construction of a dental clinic facility at the Baylor College of Dentistry; and

 

(B) $72 million for construction of a multidisciplinary research and education facility in Bryan, Texas;

 

(7) Texas A&M International University, $55,200,000 for library renovation;

 

(8) Prairie View A&M University, $28,632,000 for construction of a fabrication center and capital improvements;

 

(9)  Tarleton State University:

 

(A)  $54 million for construction of an applied sciences building; and

 

(B)  $39,600,000 for construction of a southwest metroplex building in Tarrant County;

 

(10) TAMU, $80 million for construction of a biocontainment research facility;

 

(11) TAMU--Galveston, $60 million for construction of a classroom and laboratory facility and campus infrastructure;

 

(12) TAMU--Central Texas, $36 million for construction of a multipurpose building; and

 

(13) TAMU--San Antonio, $63 million for construction of a science and technology building and campus infrastructure.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to 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 TAMU System, including student tuition charges. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.

 

(c) Authorizes the board to transfer funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The TAMU 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 if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations under this section.

 

Sec. 55.1782. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of The University of Texas System (board) to 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, in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, as follows:

 

(1) The University of Texas (UT) at Austin , $80 million for renovation of Robert A. Welch Hall;

 

(2)  UT--Rio Grande Valley:

 

(A) $36,432,000 for construction of a multipurpose academic building at the campus in Brownsville; and

 

(B) $30,600,000 for construction of an interdisciplinary engineering academic studies building at the campus in Edinburg;

 

(3) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas (UTSMC--Dallas), $80 million for the construction and renovation of a vivarium and academic and laboratory facilities;

 

(4) The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) at San Antonio, $80 million for facility renewal and renovation;

 

(5)  The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (M.D. Anderson), $70 million for construction of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan building;

 

(6)  UT Medical Branch at Galveston, $67,800,000 for construction of a health education center;

 

(7) The University of Texas at Arlington (UT-Arlington), $70 million for construction of a science and education innovation and research building;

 

(8)  UT-Dallas, $70 million for construction of an engineering building;

 

(9) UT-El Paso, $70 million for construction of an interdisciplinary research facility;

 

(10) UT-San Antonio, $70 million for construction of an instructional science and engineering building;

 

(11) UT-Tyler, $60 million for construction of a STEM building;

 

(12) UTHSC-Houston, $80 million for the renovation and modernization of educational and research facilities;

 

(13) UTHSC-Tyler, $14,800,000 for the renovation and modernization of educational and research facilities; and

 

(14) UT-Permian Basin, $48 million for construction of an engineering building.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to 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 UT System, including student tuition charges. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.

 

(c) Authorizes the board to transfer funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The UT 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 if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations under this section.

 

Sec. 55.1783. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of the University of Houston System (board) to 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 or entities, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, as follows:

 

(1) the University of Houston (UH):

 

(A) $63 million for construction of a health and biomedical sciences center; and

 

(B) $54 million for construction of a new academic building located in Sugar Land, Texas;

 

(2) UH--Clear Lake:

 

(A) $24,624,000 for construction of a health sciences and classroom building located in Pearland, Texas; and

 

(B) $54 million for construction of a STEM and classroom building;

 

(3) UH--Downtown, $60 million for construction of a science and technology building;

 

(4) UH--Victoria, $60 million for academic expansion and land acquisition; and

 

(5) the UH System, $46,832,000 for land acquisition for construction of a building in the area near Katy, Texas.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to 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 UH System, including student tuition charges. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.

 

(c) Authorizes the board to transfer funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the UH 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 if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations under this section.

 

Sec. 55.1784. TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of the Texas State University System (board) to 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, in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, as follows:

 

(1) Lamar University, $60 million for construction of a science building;

 

(2) Lamar State College (LSC)--Orange, $10 million for construction of a multipurpose education building;

 

(3) LSC--Port Arthur, $8,080,000 for expansion of technology program facilities;

 

(4) Lamar Institute of Technology, $12,500,000 for construction and renovation of technical arts buildings;

 

(5) Texas State University (TSU):

 

(A) $63 million for construction of an engineering and sciences building; and

 

(B) $48,600,000 for construction of a health professions building in Round Rock, Texas;

 

(6) Sam Houston State University, $48 million for construction of a biology laboratory building; and

 

(7) Sul Ross State University, $6,240,000 for renovation and modernization of educational and related facilities and infrastructure.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to 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 TSU System, including student tuition charges. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection to be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.

 

(c) Authorizes the board to transfer funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the TSU 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 if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations under this section.

 

Sec. 55.1785. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of the University of North Texas System (board) to 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 or entities, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, as follows:

 

(1) the University of North Texas (UNT) System, $56 million for renovation of college of law buildings;

 

(2) UNT, $70 million for construction and renovation of college of visual arts and design facilities;

 

(3) UNT-Dallas, $63 million for construction of a student learning and success center; and

 

(4) UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth, $80 million for construction of an interdisciplinary research building.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to 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 UNT System, including student tuition charges. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.

 

(c) Authorizes the board to transfer funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the UNT 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 if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations under this section.

 

Sec. 55.1786. TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of Texas Woman's University (board) to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a laboratory building, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $37,997,000 in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to 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. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.

 

Sec. 55.1787.  MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of Midwestern State University (board) to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for an academic expansion and revitalization project, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $58,400,000 in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to 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. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.

 

Sec. 55.1788. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State University (board) to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research 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 $46,400,000 in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to 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. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.

 

Sec. 55.1789. TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of the Texas Tech University System (board) to 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, in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, as follows:

 

(1) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC):

 

(A) $60,264,000 for construction of Lubbock education, research, and technology facilities;

 

(B) $14,256,000 for construction of the Permian Basin academic facility; and

 

(C) $5,715,000 for construction of the Amarillo Panhandle Clinical/Hospital Simulation;

 

(2) TTUHSC-El Paso, $75,520,000 for construction of the El Paso Medical Science Building II;

 

(3) TTU, $70 million for construction of an experimental sciences high tech interdisciplinary research building; and

 

(4) Angelo State University, $21,360,000 for construction of a College of Health and Human Services building.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to 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 TTU System, including student tuition charges. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.

 

(c) Authorizes the board to transfer funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the TTU 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 if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations under this section.

 

Sec. 55.17891. TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of Texas Southern University (board) to  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 (TSU), to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $60 million in addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of TSU, including student tuition charges. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being 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) Authorizes the  board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System (board) to 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 (TSTC)--West Texas, $12 million for construction of an industrial technology center;

 

(2) TSTC--Harlingen, $3,750,000 for Phase II of the Engineering Technology Center renovation;

 

(3) TSTC--Waco, $14,950,000 for construction of the Fort Bend Campus Building #2; and

 

(4) TSTC--Marshall, $11,040,000 for purchase and renovation of the North Texas Technology Center.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to pledge irrevocably to the payment of those bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of an institution, branch, or entity of the TSTC System, including student tuition charges. Prohibits the amount of a pledge made under this subsection from being reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.

 

(c) Authorizes the board to transfer funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the TSTC 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 if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations under this section.

 

SECTION 2. Repealers: Sections 55.17721(d) (relating to any transfer of funds to the board pursuant to an appropriation of state funds to the board or The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston for the purpose of reimbursing the board for all or part of the debt service on bonds issued under this section is subject to the prior approval of the Legislative Budget Board) and (e) (providing that the  county of residence of an individual is determined in the same manner as provided by Chapter 61, Health and Safety Code), Education Code.

 

SECTION 3. Provides that 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 4. Effective date: September 1, 2015.