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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, $48 million for |
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construction of a nursing and health sciences building; |
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(2) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $60 million |
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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, $60 million for |
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an educational complex; |
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(4) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $32 million 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) $38,160,000 for construction of an |
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agricultural sciences complex; and |
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(B) $7,200,000 for renovation of the Amarillo |
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Center; |
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(6) The Texas A&M University System Health Science |
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Center: |
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(A) $72 million for construction of a dental |
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clinic facility at the Baylor College of Dentistry; and |
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(B) $66 million for construction of a |
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multidisciplinary research and education facility in Bryan, Texas; |
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(7) Texas A&M International University, $48,449,063 |
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for library renovation through the addition of instructional and |
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support spaces; |
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(8) Prairie View A&M University, $19,941,000 for |
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construction of a fabrication center and capital improvements; |
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(9) Tarleton State University: |
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(A) $54 million for construction of an applied |
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sciences building; and |
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(B) $39,600,000 for construction of a southwest |
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metroplex building in Tarrant County; |
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(10) Texas A&M University, $71,875,000 for |
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construction of a biocontainment research facility; |
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(11) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $60 million |
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for construction of a classroom and laboratory facility and campus |
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infrastructure; |
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(12) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $36 million |
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for construction of a multipurpose building; and |
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(13) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $57,750,000 |
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for construction of a science and technology building and campus |
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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 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, $73,750,000 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) $36,432,000 for construction of a |
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multipurpose academic building at the campus in Brownsville; and |
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(B) $30,600,000 for construction of an |
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interdisciplinary engineering 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, $73,750,000 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, $73,750,000 for facility renewal and renovation; |
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(5) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer |
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Center, $61,250,000 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, $59,325,000 for construction of a health education |
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center; |
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(7) The University of Texas at Arlington, $70 million |
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for construction of a science and education innovation and research |
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building; |
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(8) The University of Texas at Dallas, $70 million for |
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construction of an engineering building; |
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(9) The University of Texas at El Paso, $70 million for |
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construction of an interdisciplinary research facility; |
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(10) The University of Texas at San Antonio, $70 |
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million for construction of an instructional science and |
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engineering building; |
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(11) The University of Texas at Tyler, $60 million 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, $73,750,000 for the renovation and modernization of |
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educational and research facilities; |
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(13) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Tyler, $14,800,000 for the renovation and modernization of |
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educational and research facilities; and |
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(14) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $48 |
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million for construction of engineering and kinesiology buildings. |
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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) $76,500,000 for construction of a health and |
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biomedical sciences center; and |
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(B) $54 million 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) $24,624,000 for construction of a health |
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sciences and classroom building located in Pearland, Texas; and |
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(B) $65,025,000 for construction of a STEM and |
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classroom building; |
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(3) the University of Houston--Downtown, $60 million |
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for construction of a science and technology building; |
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(4) the University of Houston--Victoria, $60 million |
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for academic expansion and land acquisition; and |
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(5) the University of Houston System, $37,118,500 for |
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land acquisition for construction of a building 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, $60 million for construction of |
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a science building; |
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(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $10 million for |
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construction of a multipurpose education building; |
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(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $8,080,000 for |
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expansion of technology program facilities; |
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(4) Lamar Institute of Technology, $12,500,000 for |
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construction and renovation of technical arts buildings; |
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(5) Texas State University: |
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(A) $63 million for construction of an |
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engineering and sciences building; and |
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(B) $48,600,000 for construction of a health |
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professions building in Round Rock, Texas; |
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(6) Sam Houston State University, $48 million for |
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construction of a biology laboratory building; and |
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(7) Sul Ross State University, $6,240,000 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 |
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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 North Texas System, $49 million |
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for renovation of college of law buildings; |
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(2) the University of North Texas, $70 million 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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$57,750,000 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, $73,750,000 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 |
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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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laboratory building, to be financed through the issuance of bonds |
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in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate |
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principal amount of $37,997,000. |
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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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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 an academic expansion and revitalization |
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project, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance |
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with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount |
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of $58,400,000. |
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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 |
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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 $46,400,000. |
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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 |
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subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas Tech 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 |
|
|
accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by |
|
|
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) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: |
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(A) $60,264,000 for construction of Lubbock |
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education, research, and technology facilities; |
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(B) $12,830,400 for construction of the Permian |
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Basin academic facility; and |
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(C) $5,715,000 for construction of the Amarillo |
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Panhandle Clinical/Hospital Simulation Center; |
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(2) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El |
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Paso, $71,860,000 for construction of the El Paso Medical Science |
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Building II; |
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(3) Texas Tech University, $70 million for |
|
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construction of an experimental sciences high tech |
|
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interdisciplinary research building; and |
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(4) Angelo State University, $21,360,000 for |
|
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construction of a College of Health and Human Services 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 Tech University |
|
|
System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
|
|
made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
|
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
|
|
bonds, are outstanding. |
|
|
(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 |
|
|
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 |
|
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
|
|
subchapter, the board of regents of Texas Southern University may |
|
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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 |
|
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principal amount of $60 million. |
|
|
(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. |
|
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(a) In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, |
|
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the board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System may |
|
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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 |
|
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bonds in accordance with this subchapter for the following |
|
|
institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate principal |
|
|
amounts for the projects specified, as follows: |
|
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(1) Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $12 |
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million for construction of an industrial technology center; |
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(2) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, |
|
|
$3,750,000 for Phase II of the Engineering Technology Center |
|
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renovation; |
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(3) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $14,950,000 |
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for construction of the Fort Bend Campus Building #2; and |
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(4) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, |
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|
$11,040,000 for purchase and renovation of the North Texas |
|
|
Industrial Technology Center. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those |
|
|
bonds all or any part of the revenue funds of an institution, |
|
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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. 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 |
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|
by bonds authorized by this Act. |
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|
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |
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* * * * * |