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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; making |
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an appropriation. |
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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, $40,500,000 for |
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construction of a nursing and health sciences building; |
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(2) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $67,500,000 |
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for construction of a life sciences research and engineering |
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building; |
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(3) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $93 million for |
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a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classroom |
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building; |
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(4) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $30,000,000 for |
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construction of an academic and student services building; |
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(5) West Texas A&M University: |
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(A) $7,500,000 for renovation of the Amarillo |
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Center; and |
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(B) $32,250,000 for construction of an |
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agricultural sciences complex; |
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(6) The Texas A&M University System Health Science |
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Center: |
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(A) $60,000,000 for construction of a |
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multidisciplinary research and education facility in Bryan, Texas; |
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and |
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(B) $67,500,000 for construction of a dental |
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clinic facility at the Baylor College of Dentistry; |
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(7) Texas A&M International University, $41,698,125 |
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for construction of an academic and laboratory building; |
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(8) Prairie View A&M University, $11,250,000 for |
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construction of a fabrication center; |
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(9) Tarleton State University: |
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(A) $56,250,000 for construction of an applied |
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sciences building; and |
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(B) $41,250,000 for construction of a southwest |
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metroplex building for the campus in Midlothian; |
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(10) Texas A&M University, $63,750,000 for |
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construction of a biocontainment research facility; |
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(11) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $62,250,000 |
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for expansion of an instructional and teaching laboratory; |
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(12) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $30,000,000 |
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for construction of a multipurpose building; and |
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(13) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $52,500,000 |
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for construction of a science and technology building and |
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infrastructure for campus development. |
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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 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, $67,500,000 for |
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renovation of Robert A. Welch Hall; |
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(2) The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley: |
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(A) $37,950,000 for construction of a |
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multipurpose academic center at the campus in Brownsville; and |
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(B) $31,875,000 for construction of an |
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interdisciplinary engineering and academic studies building at the |
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campus in Edinburg; |
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(3) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical |
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Center at Dallas, $67,500,000 for the construction and renovation |
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of a vivarium and academic and laboratory facilities; |
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(4) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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San Antonio, $67,500,000 for the renovation of a medical and dental |
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education building and the School of Nursing; |
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(5) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer |
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Center, $52,500,000 for construction of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan |
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Al Nahyan building; |
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(6) The University of Texas Medical Branch at |
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Galveston, $50,850,000 for construction of a health education |
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center; |
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(7) The University of Texas at Arlington, $67,500,000 |
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for construction of a science and engineering innovation and |
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research building; |
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(8) The University of Texas at Dallas, $67,500,000 for |
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construction of an engineering building; |
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(9) The University of Texas at El Paso, $67,500,000 |
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for construction of an interdisciplinary research facility; |
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(10) The University of Texas at San Antonio, |
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$67,500,000 for construction of an instructional science and |
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engineering building; |
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(11) The University of Texas at Tyler, $57,000,000 for |
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construction of a STEM building; |
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(12) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Houston, $67,500,000 for the renovation and modernization of a |
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medical school building, the School of Public Health, and |
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University Center Tower; |
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(13) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Tyler, $11,250,000 for the renovation of a facility for physician |
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residents training; and |
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(14) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, |
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$45,000,000 for construction of an engineering 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 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 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 or entities, 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 Houston: |
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(A) $90,000,000 for construction of a health and |
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biomedical sciences center; and |
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(B) $45,000,000 for construction of a new |
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academic building located in Sugar Land, Texas; |
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(2) the University of Houston--Clear Lake: |
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(A) $17,100,000 for construction of a health |
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sciences and classroom building located in Pearland, Texas; and |
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(B) $76,050,000 for construction of a STEM and |
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classroom building; |
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(3) the University of Houston--Downtown, $67,500,000 |
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for construction of a science and technology building; |
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(4) the University of Houston--Victoria, $64,065,000 |
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for construction of a science, technology, and classroom building; |
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and |
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(5) the University of Houston System, $27,405,000 for |
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construction of a Cinco Ranch building located in the area near |
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Katy, Texas. |
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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, $54,000,000 for construction of |
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a science and technology building; |
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(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $9,375,000 for |
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construction of a multipurpose education building; |
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(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $7,200,000 for |
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expansion of technology program facilities; |
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(4) Lamar Institute of Technology, $6,480,000 for |
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renovation of the technical arts buildings; |
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(5) Texas State University: |
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(A) $67,500,000 for construction of an |
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engineering and sciences building; and |
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(B) $50,625,000 for construction of a health |
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professions building in Round Rock, Texas; |
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(6) Sam Houston State University, $45,000,000 for |
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construction of a biology laboratory building; and |
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(7) Sul Ross State University, $5,850,000 for |
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renovation and modernization of educational and related facilities |
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and infrastructure. |
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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 |
|
|
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 or entities, 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 North Texas System, $42,000,000 |
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for renovation of college of law buildings; |
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(2) the University of North Texas, $62,100,000 for |
|
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construction and renovation of college of visual arts and design |
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facilities; |
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(3) the University of North Texas at Dallas, |
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$52,500,000 for construction of a student learning and success |
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center; and |
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(4) the University of North Texas Health Science |
|
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Center at Fort Worth, $67,500,000 for construction of an |
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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 |
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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 |
|
|
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 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 $32,297,450. |
|
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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 |
|
|
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 the Gunn College of Health Science and Human |
|
|
Services, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in |
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accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate |
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principal amount of $51,850,000. |
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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 |
|
|
through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, |
|
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not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $49,300,000. |
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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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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 |
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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 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: |
|
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(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 |
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|
out of the economic stabilization fund to the comptroller of public |
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|
accounts for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2017, for |
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|
distribution to institutions of higher education and university |
|
|
systems for debt service on revenue bonds authorized by this Act. |
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|
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. |
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|
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. |
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|
(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. |
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|
(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. |
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|
SECTION 4. Except as provided by Sections 3(a) and (b) of |
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|
this Act, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |