84R5589 JSL-D
 
  By: Lozano H.B. No. 812
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund
  capital projects at public institutions of higher education; making
  an appropriation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 55.1781, 55.1782, 55.1783, 55.1784,
  55.1785, 55.1786, 55.1787, 55.1788, 55.1789, 55.17891, and
  55.17892 to read as follows:
         Sec. 55.1781.  THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System
  may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or
  equip 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 A&M University--Commerce, $40,500,000 for
  construction of a nursing and health sciences building;
               (2)  Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $67,500,000
  for construction of a life sciences research and engineering
  building;
               (3)  Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $93 million for
  a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classroom
  building;
               (4)  Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $30,000,000 for
  construction of an academic and student services building;
               (5)  West Texas A&M University:
                     (A)  $7,500,000 for renovation of the Amarillo
  Center; and
                     (B)  $32,250,000 for construction of an
  agricultural sciences complex;
               (6)  The Texas A&M University System Health Science
  Center:
                     (A)  $60,000,000 for construction of a
  multidisciplinary research and education facility in Bryan, Texas;
  and
                     (B)  $67,500,000 for construction of a dental
  clinic facility at the Baylor College of Dentistry;
               (7)  Texas A&M International University, $41,698,125
  for construction of an academic and laboratory building;
               (8)  Prairie View A&M University, $11,250,000 for
  construction of a fabrication center;
               (9)  Tarleton State University:
                     (A)  $56,250,000 for construction of an applied
  sciences building; and
                     (B)  $41,250,000 for construction of a southwest
  metroplex building for the campus in Midlothian;
               (10)  Texas A&M University, $63,750,000 for
  construction of a biocontainment research facility;
               (11)  Texas A&M University at Galveston, $62,250,000
  for expansion of an instructional and teaching laboratory;
               (12)  Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $30,000,000
  for construction of a multipurpose building; and
               (13)  Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $52,500,000
  for construction of a science and technology building and
  infrastructure for campus development.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of The Texas A&M University
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The Texas A&M
  University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1782.  THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of The University of Texas System
  may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or
  equip 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)  The University of Texas at Austin, $67,500,000 for
  renovation of Robert A. Welch Hall;
               (2)  The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley:
                     (A)  $37,950,000 for construction of a
  multipurpose academic center at the campus in Brownsville; and
                     (B)  $31,875,000 for construction of an
  interdisciplinary engineering and academic studies building at the
  campus in Edinburg;
               (3)  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
  Center at Dallas, $67,500,000 for the construction and renovation
  of a vivarium and academic and laboratory facilities;
               (4)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  San Antonio, $67,500,000 for the renovation of a medical and dental
  education building and the School of Nursing;
               (5)  The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
  Center, $52,500,000 for construction of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan
  Al Nahyan building;
               (6)  The University of Texas Medical Branch at
  Galveston, $50,850,000 for construction of a health education
  center;
               (7)  The University of Texas at Arlington, $67,500,000
  for construction of a science and engineering innovation and
  research building;
               (8)  The University of Texas at Dallas, $67,500,000 for
  construction of an engineering building;
               (9)  The University of Texas at El Paso, $67,500,000
  for construction of an interdisciplinary research facility;
               (10)  The University of Texas at San Antonio,
  $67,500,000 for construction of an instructional science and
  engineering building;
               (11)  The University of Texas at Tyler, $57,000,000 for
  construction of a STEM building;
               (12)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Houston, $67,500,000 for the renovation and modernization of a
  medical school building, the School of Public Health, and
  University Center Tower;
               (13)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Tyler, $11,250,000 for the renovation of a facility for physician
  residents training; and
               (14)  The University of Texas of the Permian Basin,
  $45,000,000 for construction of an engineering building.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of The University of Texas
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The University
  of Texas System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1783.  UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of the University of Houston
  System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
  enlarge, or equip 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, as follows:
               (1)  the University of Houston:
                     (A)  $90,000,000 for construction of a health and
  biomedical sciences center; and
                     (B)  $45,000,000 for construction of a new
  academic building located in Sugar Land, Texas;
               (2)  the University of Houston--Clear Lake:
                     (A)  $17,100,000 for construction of a health
  sciences and classroom building located in Pearland, Texas; and
                     (B)  $76,050,000 for construction of a STEM and
  classroom building;
               (3)  the University of Houston--Downtown, $67,500,000
  for construction of a science and technology building;
               (4)  the University of Houston--Victoria, $64,065,000
  for construction of a science, technology, and classroom building;
  and
               (5)  the University of Houston System, $27,405,000 for
  construction of a Cinco Ranch building located in the area near
  Katy, Texas.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of the University of Houston
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University
  of Houston System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1784.  TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas State University
  System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
  enlarge, or equip 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)  Lamar University, $54,000,000 for construction of
  a science and technology building;
               (2)  Lamar State College--Orange, $9,375,000 for
  construction of a multipurpose education building;
               (3)  Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $7,200,000 for
  expansion of technology program facilities;
               (4)  Lamar Institute of Technology, $6,480,000 for
  renovation of the technical arts buildings;
               (5)  Texas State University:
                     (A)  $67,500,000 for construction of an
  engineering and sciences building; and
                     (B)  $50,625,000 for construction of a health
  professions building in Round Rock, Texas;
               (6)  Sam Houston State University, $45,000,000 for
  construction of a biology laboratory building; and
               (7)  Sul Ross State University, $5,850,000 for
  renovation and modernization of educational and related facilities
  and infrastructure.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of the Texas State University
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas State
  University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1785.  UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of the University of North Texas
  System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
  enlarge, or equip 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, as follows:
               (1)  the University of North Texas System, $42,000,000
  for renovation of college of law buildings;
               (2)  the University of North Texas, $62,100,000 for
  construction and renovation of college of visual arts and design
  facilities;
               (3)  the University of North Texas at Dallas,
  $52,500,000 for construction of a student learning and success
  center; and
               (4)  the University of North Texas Health Science
  Center at Fort Worth, $67,500,000 for construction of an
  interdisciplinary research building.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of the University of North Texas
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University
  of North Texas System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1786.  TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY. (a) In addition to
  the other authority granted by this subchapter, the board of
  regents of Texas Woman's University may acquire, purchase,
  construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and
  facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a
  science and technology learning center, to be financed through the
  issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed
  the aggregate principal amount of $32,297,450.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  Texas Woman's University, including student tuition charges. The
  amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or
  abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds
  issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.
         Sec. 55.1787.  MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of Midwestern State University may
  acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip
  property and facilities, including roads and related
  infrastructure, for the Gunn College of Health Science and Human
  Services, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in
  accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate
  principal amount of $51,850,000.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  Midwestern State University, including student tuition charges.
  The amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced
  or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds
  issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.
         Sec. 55.1788.  STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY. (a) In
  addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the
  board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State University may acquire,
  purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip 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 $49,300,000.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  Stephen F. Austin State University, including student tuition
  charges. The amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not
  be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is
  made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.
         Sec. 55.1789.  TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas Tech University
  System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
  enlarge, or equip 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)  $56,497,500 for renovation and expansion of
  Lubbock education, research, and technology facilities;
                     (B)  $13,365,000 for construction of the Permian
  Basin academic facility; and
                     (C)  $4,762,500 for construction of the Amarillo
  Panhandle Clinical/Hospital Simulation;
               (2)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El
  Paso, $63,720,000 for construction of the El Paso Medical Science
  Building II;
               (3)  Texas Tech University, $65,947,500 for
  construction of an experimental sciences building; and
               (4)  Angelo State University, $18,022,500 for
  construction of a College of 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 $59,710,680.
         (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--West Texas,
  $9,967,270 for construction of an industrial technology center;
               (2)  Texas State Technical College--Harlingen,
  $3,114,772 for Phase II of the Engineering Technology Center
  renovation;
               (3)  Texas State Technical College--Marshall,
  $7,875,400 for construction of a North Texas technology building;
  and
               (4)  Texas State Technical College--Waco, $12,417,558
  for construction of the Fort Bend Technical Center.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
  bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of an institution,
  branch, or entity of the Texas State Technical College System,
  including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge made
  under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas State
  Technical College System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         SECTION 2.  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 3.  (a) The amount of $2.89 billion is appropriated
  out of the economic stabilization fund to the comptroller of public
  accounts for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2017, for
  distribution to institutions of higher education and university
  systems for debt service on revenue bonds authorized by this Act.
  This subsection takes effect only if this Act receives a vote of
  two-thirds of the members present in each house of the legislature,
  as provided by Section 49-g(m), Article III, Texas Constitution.
  If this Act does not receive a vote of two-thirds of the members
  present in each house of the legislature, this subsection does not
  take effect.
         (b)  This subsection takes effect only if Subsection (a) of
  this section does not take effect. The amount of $2.89 billion is
  appropriated out of the general revenue fund to the comptroller of
  public accounts for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31,
  2017, for distribution to institutions of higher education and
  university systems for debt service on revenue bonds authorized by
  this Act.
         (c)  The comptroller shall distribute a portion of the amount
  appropriated by Subsection (a) or (b) of this section, as
  applicable, to each institution of higher education or university
  system, as applicable, in accordance with calculations made by the
  Legislative Budget Board of each institution's or system's
  proportionate share of the amount appropriated based on the amount
  of revenue bonds authorized by this Act for each institution or
  system.
         (d)  The Legislative Budget Board shall make the initial
  calculations under this section and notify the comptroller and the
  applicable institutions of higher education and university systems
  of the respective shares to be distributed under this section as
  soon as practicable. The Legislative Budget Board may make
  adjustments to those calculations and provide a final determination
  of those shares.
         SECTION 4.  Except as provided by Sections 3(a) and (b) of
  this Act, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.