86R5208 SOS-D
 
  By: Seliger S.B. No. 505
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund
  capital projects at public institutions of higher education; making
  an appropriation.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 55.1791, 55.1792, 55.1793, 55.1794,
  55.1795, 55.1796, 55.1797, 55.1798, and 55.1799 to read as follows:
         Sec. 55.1791.  THE TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System
  may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or
  equip property and facilities, including roads and related
  infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of
  bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with a
  systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board for the
  following institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate
  principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:
               (1)  Prairie View A&M University:
                     (A)  $60 million for construction of an
  engineering classroom and research building; and
                     (B)  $48 million for construction of a
  multipurpose educational and event facility;
               (2)  Tarleton State University:
                     (A)  $72 million for construction of an
  agriculture and natural resources building; and
                     (B)  $70 million for construction of the Tarleton
  State University Building 2 located in Fort Worth, a physical
  plant, and campus infrastructure;
               (3)  Texas A&M University, $85 million for construction
  of an instructional lab and innovative learning facility;
               (4)  Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $25 million
  for construction of a central utility plant; 
               (5)  Texas A&M University--Commerce, $49.5 million for
  construction of an agricultural multipurpose education and
  training center;
               (6)  Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $58.5
  million for construction of an arts and media building;
               (7)  Texas A&M University at Galveston, $58,349,500 for
  construction of an immersive scholarship and learning environment
  building, a central plant, and campus infrastructure;
               (8)  Texas A&M International University:
                     (A)  $9 million for renovation of and additions to
  fine and performing arts instructional and support spaces; and
                     (B)  $75 million for construction of a student
  classroom and events center;
               (9)  Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $65 million for
  construction of a STEM health professions workforce development
  complex;
               (10)  Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $53 million
  for construction of an academic and library building; 
               (11)  Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for
  construction of a business, engineering, and technology building;
               (12)  West Texas A&M University:
                     (A)  $28.5 million for capital improvements for
  life and fire safety and fire compliance issues; and
                     (B)  $20 million for renovation of the education
  building; and
               (13)  The Texas A&M University System Health Science
  Center, $100 million for construction of the Texas Medical Center
  Building 3.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of The Texas A&M University
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The Texas A&M
  University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1792.  THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of The University of Texas System
  may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or
  equip property and facilities, including roads and related
  infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of
  bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in accordance with a
  systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board for the
  following institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate
  principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:
               (1)  The University of Texas at Arlington, $60,800,000
  for construction of a social work and college of nursing academy
  building;
               (2)  The University of Texas at Austin, $100 million
  for restoration of the J.T. Patterson Labs building;
               (3)  The University of Texas at Dallas:
                     (A)  $120 million for a joint project with The
  University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas for
  construction of a translational biomedical engineering and science
  building; and
                     (B)  $85 million for construction of a student
  success center;
               (4)  The University of Texas at El Paso, $113 million
  for construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex;
               (5)  The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $40
  million for improvement and renovation of the Mesa building;
               (6)  The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley, $70
  million for construction of a health affairs building;
               (7)  The University of Texas at San Antonio,
  $126,250,000 for construction of a college of business building for
  the downtown campus;
               (8)  The University of Texas at Tyler, $50 million for
  construction of a college of nursing and health science building;
               (9)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Houston, $200 million for a joint project with The University of
  Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for construction of a research
  building;
               (10)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  San Antonio, $82 million for construction of the Glenn Biggs
  Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases building;
               (11)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Tyler, $18.5 million for construction of a proposed capital
  project;
               (12)  The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
  Center, $200 million for a joint project with The University of
  Texas Health Science Center at Houston for construction of a
  research building;
               (13)  The University of Texas Medical Branch at
  Galveston, $157 million for construction of facilities; and
               (14)  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
  Center at Dallas, $120 million for a joint project with The
  University of Texas at Dallas for construction of a translational
  biomedical engineering and science building.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of The University of Texas
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of The University
  of Texas System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1793.  UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of the University of Houston
  System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
  enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and
  related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the
  issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in
  accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by
  the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the
  following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified,
  as follows:
               (1)  the University of Houston, $60 million for
  construction of a law center building;
               (2)  the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $56 million
  for Phase II of the STEM and classroom building construction;
               (3)  the University of Houston--Downtown, $110 million
  for construction of an arts, sciences, engineering, and
  entrepreneurship center; and
               (4)  the University of Houston--Victoria, $74,700,000
  for campus expansion.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of the University of Houston
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University
  of Houston System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1794.  TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas State University
  System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
  enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and
  related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the
  issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in
  accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by
  the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the
  following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified,
  as follows:
               (1)  Lamar University, $45 million for construction of
  the Lamar University Digital Learning Center;
               (2)  Lamar State College--Orange, $32 million for
  construction of an academic building;
               (3)  Lamar State College--Port Arthur:
                     (A)  $1,012,500 for construction of a workforce
  training center; and
                     (B)  $20 million for construction of a proposed
  capital project;
               (4)  Lamar Institute of Technology:
                     (A)  $1.1 million for construction of a
  professional truck driving academy building; and
                     (B)  $20 million for construction of a workforce
  training center;
               (5)  Sam Houston State University, $70 million for
  construction of an allied health building;
               (6)  Sul Ross State University, $25,550,000 for
  expansion of the fine arts facility;
               (7)  Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College, $20
  million for a proposed capital project for educational
  opportunities located in Eagle Pass, Texas; and
               (8)  Texas State University:
                     (A)  $125 million for construction of a STEM
  classroom building located in San Marcos, Texas; and
                     (B)  $75 million for construction of a health
  professions building located in Round Rock, Texas.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of the Texas State University
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas State
  University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1795.  UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of the University of North Texas
  System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
  enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and
  related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the
  issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in
  accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by
  the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the
  following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified,
  as follows:
               (1)  the University of North Texas, $126 million for
  construction of a science and technology research building;
               (2)  the University of North Texas at Dallas, $92
  million for construction of a STEM building; and
               (3)  the University of North Texas Health Science
  Center at Fort Worth, $115.5 million for construction of an
  academic building.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of the University of North Texas
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University
  of North Texas System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1796.  TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS.  
  (a)  In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter,
  the board of regents of Texas Woman's University may acquire,
  purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property
  and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a
  health sciences center, to be financed through the issuance of
  bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the
  aggregate principal amount of $105 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 Woman's University, including student tuition charges. The
  amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or
  abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds
  issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.
         Sec. 55.1797.  MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of Midwestern State University may
  acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip
  property and facilities, including roads and related
  infrastructure, for infrastructure upgrades, to be financed
  through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter,
  not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $10 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
  Midwestern State University, including student tuition charges.
  The amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced
  or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds
  issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.
         Sec. 55.1798.  STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY;
  ADDITIONAL BONDS.  (a)  In addition to the other authority granted
  by this subchapter, the board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State
  University may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
  enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and
  related infrastructure, for a natural science and innovations
  laboratory, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in
  accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate
  principal amount of $48 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
  Stephen F. Austin State University, including student tuition
  charges. The amount of a pledge made under this subsection may not
  be reduced or abrogated while the bonds for which the pledge is
  made, or bonds issued to refund those bonds, are outstanding.
         Sec. 55.1799.  TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM; ADDITIONAL
  BONDS. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
  subchapter, the board of regents of the Texas Tech University
  System may acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate,
  enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and
  related infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the
  issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter and in
  accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by
  the board for the following institutions, not to exceed the
  following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified,
  as follows:
               (1)  Angelo State University, $22.5 million for
  construction of an art building;
               (2)  Texas Tech University, $118,080,000 for
  construction of a facility;
               (3)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center,
  $34,650,000 for expansion of the academic and clinic building
  located in Amarillo, Texas; and
               (4)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El
  Paso, $92,349,000 for construction of a dental school 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.
         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 $3,964,841,000 is
  appropriated out of the economic stabilization fund to the
  comptroller of public accounts for the state fiscal biennium ending
  August 31, 2021, for distribution to institutions of higher
  education and university systems for debt service on revenue bonds
  authorized by this Act. This subsection takes effect only if this
  Act receives a vote of two-thirds of the members present in each
  house of the legislature, as provided by Section 49-g(m), Article
  III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive a vote of
  two-thirds of the members present in each house of the legislature,
  this subsection does not take effect.
         (b)  This subsection takes effect only if Subsection (a) of
  this section does not take effect. The amount of $3,964,841,000 is
  appropriated out of the general revenue fund to the comptroller of
  public accounts for the state fiscal biennium ending August 31,
  2021, for distribution to institutions of higher education and
  university systems for debt service on revenue bonds authorized by
  this Act.
         (c)  The comptroller shall distribute a portion of the amount
  appropriated by Subsection (a) or (b) of this section, as
  applicable, to each institution of higher education or university
  system, as applicable, in accordance with calculations made by the
  Legislative Budget Board of each institution's or system's
  proportionate share of the amount appropriated based on the amount
  of revenue bonds authorized by this Act for each institution or
  system.
         (d)  The Legislative Budget Board shall make the initial
  calculations under this section and notify the comptroller and the
  applicable institutions of higher education and university systems
  of the respective shares to be distributed under this section as
  soon as practicable. The Legislative Budget Board may make
  adjustments to those calculations and provide a final determination
  of those shares.
         SECTION 4.  Except as provided by Sections 3(a) and (b) of
  this Act, this Act takes effect September 1, 2019.