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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 55.1791, 55.1792, 55.1793, 55.1794, |
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55.1795, 55.1796, 55.1797, 55.1798, and 55.1799 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 55.1791. 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) Prairie View A&M University: |
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(A) $60 million for construction of an |
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engineering classroom and research building; and |
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(B) $48 million for construction of a |
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multipurpose educational and event facility; |
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(2) Tarleton State University: |
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(A) $72 million for construction of an |
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agriculture and natural resources building; and |
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(B) $70 million for construction of the Tarleton |
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State University Building 2 located in Fort Worth, a physical |
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plant, and campus infrastructure; |
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(3) Texas A&M University, $85 million for construction |
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of an instructional lab and innovative learning facility; |
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(4) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $25 million |
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for construction of a central utility plant; |
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(5) Texas A&M University--Commerce, $49.5 million for |
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construction of an agricultural multipurpose education and |
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training center; |
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(6) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $58.5 |
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million for construction of an arts and media building; |
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(7) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $58,349,500 for |
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construction of an immersive scholarship and learning environment |
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building, a central plant, and campus infrastructure; |
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(8) Texas A&M International University: |
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(A) $9 million for renovation of and additions to |
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fine and performing arts instructional and support spaces; and |
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(B) $75 million for construction of a student |
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classroom and events center; |
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(9) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $65 million for |
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construction of a STEM health professions workforce development |
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complex; |
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(10) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $53 million |
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for construction of an academic and library building; |
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(11) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for |
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construction of a business, engineering, and technology building; |
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(12) West Texas A&M University: |
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(A) $28.5 million for capital improvements for |
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life and fire safety and fire compliance issues; and |
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(B) $20 million for renovation of the education |
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building; and |
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(13) The Texas A&M University System Health Science |
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Center, $100 million for construction of the Texas Medical Center |
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Building 3. |
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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. 55.1792. 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 Arlington, $60,800,000 |
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for construction of a social work and college of nursing academy |
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building; |
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(2) The University of Texas at Austin, $100 million |
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for restoration of the J.T. Patterson Labs building; |
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(3) The University of Texas at Dallas: |
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(A) $120 million for a joint project with The |
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University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas for |
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construction of a translational biomedical engineering and science |
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building; and |
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(B) $85 million for construction of a student |
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success center; |
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(4) The University of Texas at El Paso, $113 million |
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for construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex; |
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(5) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $40 |
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million for improvement and renovation of the Mesa building; |
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(6) The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley, $70 |
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million for construction of a health affairs building; |
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(7) The University of Texas at San Antonio, |
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$126,250,000 for construction of a college of business building for |
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the downtown campus; |
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(8) The University of Texas at Tyler, $50 million for |
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construction of a college of nursing and health science building; |
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(9) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Houston, $200 million for a joint project with The University of |
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Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for construction of a research |
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building; |
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(10) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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San Antonio, $82 million for construction of the Glenn Biggs |
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Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases building; |
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(11) The University of Texas Health Science Center at |
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Tyler, $18.5 million for construction of a proposed capital |
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project; |
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(12) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer |
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Center, $200 million for a joint project with The University of |
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Texas Health Science Center at Houston for construction of a |
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research building; |
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(13) The University of Texas Medical Branch at |
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Galveston, $157 million for construction of facilities; and |
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(14) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical |
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Center at Dallas, $120 million for a joint project with The |
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University of Texas at Dallas for construction of a translational |
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biomedical engineering and science 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. 55.1793. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
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subchapter, the board of regents of the University of Houston |
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System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, |
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enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and |
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related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the |
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issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in |
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accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by |
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the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the |
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following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, |
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as follows: |
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(1) the University of Houston, $60 million for |
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construction of a law center building; |
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(2) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $56 million |
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for Phase II of the STEM and classroom building construction; |
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(3) the University of Houston--Downtown, $110 million |
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for construction of an arts, sciences, engineering, and |
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entrepreneurship center; and |
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(4) the University of Houston--Victoria, $74,700,000 |
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for campus expansion. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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an institution, branch, or entity of the University of Houston |
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System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge |
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made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the |
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bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those |
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bonds, are outstanding. |
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(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to |
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meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer |
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funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University |
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of Houston System to ensure the most equitable and efficient |
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allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or |
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entity to carry out its duties and purposes. |
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Sec. 55.1794. 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, $45 million for construction of |
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the Lamar University Digital Learning Center; |
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(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $32 million for |
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construction of an academic building; |
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(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur: |
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(A) $1,012,500 for construction of a workforce |
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training center; and |
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(B) $20 million for construction of a proposed |
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capital project; |
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(4) Lamar Institute of Technology: |
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(A) $1.1 million for construction of a |
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professional truck driving academy building; and |
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(B) $20 million for construction of a workforce |
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training center; |
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(5) Sam Houston State University, $70 million for |
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construction of an allied health building; |
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(6) Sul Ross State University, $25,550,000 for |
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expansion of the fine arts facility; |
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(7) Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College, $20 |
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million for a proposed capital project for educational |
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opportunities located in Eagle Pass, Texas; and |
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(8) Texas State University: |
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(A) $125 million for construction of a STEM |
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classroom building located in San Marcos, Texas; and |
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(B) $75 million for construction of a health |
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professions building located in Round Rock, 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 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. 55.1795. UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL |
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BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this |
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subchapter, the board of regents of the University of North Texas |
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System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, |
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enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and |
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related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the |
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issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in |
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accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by |
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the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the |
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following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, |
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as follows: |
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(1) the University of North Texas, $126 million for |
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construction of a science and technology research building; |
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(2) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $92 |
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million for construction of a STEM building; and |
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(3) the University of North Texas Health Science |
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Center at Fort Worth, $115.5 million for construction of an |
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academic 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. 55.1796. TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS. |
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(a) In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, |
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the board of regents of Texas Woman's 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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health sciences center, to be financed through the issuance of |
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bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the |
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aggregate principal amount of $105 million. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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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. 55.1797. 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 infrastructure upgrades, 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 $10 million. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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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. 55.1798. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY; |
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ADDITIONAL BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted |
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by this subchapter, the board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State |
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University 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 a natural science and innovations |
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laboratory, 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 $48 million. |
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(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds |
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authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of |
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Stephen F. Austin State University, including student tuition |
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charges. The amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not |
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be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is |
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made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding. |
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Sec. 55.1799. 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 |
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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) Angelo State University, $22.5 million for |
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construction of an art building; |
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(2) Texas Tech University, $118,080,000 for |
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construction of a facility; |
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(3) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, |
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$34,650,000 for expansion of the academic and clinic building |
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located in Amarillo, Texas; and |
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(4) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El |
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Paso, $92,349,000 for construction of a dental school 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 |
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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 Tech |
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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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SECTION 2. This Act does not affect any authority or |
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restriction regarding the activities that a public institution of |
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higher education may conduct in connection with a facility financed |
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by bonds authorized by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. (a) The amount of $3,964,841,000 is |
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appropriated out of the economic stabilization fund to the |
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comptroller of public accounts for the state fiscal biennium ending |
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August 31, 2021, for distribution to institutions of higher |
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education and university systems for debt service on revenue bonds |
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authorized by this Act. This subsection takes effect only if this |
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Act receives a vote of two-thirds of the members present in each |
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house of the legislature, as provided by Section 49-g(m), Article |
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III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive a vote of |
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two-thirds of the members present in each house of the legislature, |
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this subsection does not take effect. |
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(b) This subsection takes effect only if Subsection (a) of |
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this section does not take effect. The amount of $3,964,841,000 is |
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appropriated out of the general revenue fund to the comptroller of |
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public accounts for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, |
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2021, for distribution to institutions of higher education and |
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university systems for debt service on revenue bonds authorized by |
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this Act. |
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(c) The comptroller shall distribute a portion of the amount |
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appropriated by Subsection (a) or (b) of this section, as |
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applicable, to each institution of higher education or university |
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system, as applicable, in accordance with calculations made by the |
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Legislative Budget Board of each institution's or system's |
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proportionate share of the amount appropriated based on the amount |
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of revenue bonds authorized by this Act for each institution or |
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system. |
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(d) The Legislative Budget Board shall make the initial |
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calculations under this section and notify the comptroller and the |
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applicable institutions of higher education and university systems |
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of the respective shares to be distributed under this section as |
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soon as practicable. The Legislative Budget Board may make |
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adjustments to those calculations and provide a final determination |
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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, 2019. |