By: Creighton, et al. S.B. No. 52
 
 
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.
         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, 55.1799, and 55.17991 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)  Texas A&M University, $125 million for
  construction of a clinical veterinary teaching and research
  complex;
               (2)  Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $40 million
  for construction of a central plant and infrastructure upgrades;
               (3)  Texas A&M University--Commerce, $40 million for
  infrastructure upgrades to address accessibility for persons with
  disabilities and health and safety issues;
               (4)  Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $30 million
  to address deferred maintenance;
               (5)  Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60 million to
  address deferred maintenance;
               (6)  Prairie View A&M University, $60 million for
  construction of a teaching and academic student support services
  facility;
               (7)  West Texas A&M University, $65,750,000 for
  infrastructure upgrades to address health and safety issues and the
  renovation of an education building;
               (8)  Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $50 million for
  construction of a public health and education building;
               (9)  Texas A&M International University, $70 million
  for construction of a health science education and research center;
               (10)  Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for
  construction of a business, engineering, and technology building;
  and
               (11)  The Texas A&M University System Health Science
  Center, $55 million for construction of the Texas Medical Center
  Building 3 in Houston, 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 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 Austin, $74 million for
  renovation of the Microelectronics Research Center at the
  J. J. Pickle Research Campus;
               (2)  The University of Texas at Arlington, $101,200,000
  for renovation of the Life Science Building;
               (3)  The University of Texas at Dallas, $62 million for
  construction of a student success center;
               (4)  The University of Texas at El Paso, $74 million for
  construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex;
               (5)  The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $50
  million for renovation of the Mesa Building;
               (6)  The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, $35
  million to address deferred maintenance;
               (7)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Tyler, $48 million for construction of a health professions
  education center;
               (8)  The University of Texas at Tyler, $54,800,000 for
  construction of a sciences building;
               (9)  The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
  Center, $74 million for construction of a life sciences research,
  innovation, and discovery facility; and
               (10)  The University of Texas Medical Branch at
  Galveston, $81,358,171 for infrastructure and research space
  upgrades for research buildings.
         (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 System, $113 million for
  construction of a medical research facility;
               (2)  the University of Houston, $118,800,000 for
  construction of the IDEA Lab;
               (3)  the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $60 million
  for renovation of the Bayou Building, the Delta Building, and the
  Student Services and Classroom Building;
               (4)  the University of Houston--Downtown, $15 million
  for additions to the Girard Street Building; and
               (5)  the University of Houston--Victoria, $21,280,469
  for renovation of existing buildings and other campus
  infrastructure upgrades.
         (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 State College--Orange, $42 million for the
  construction of an academic building to house general academic
  instruction and information technology services;
               (2)  Lamar Institute of Technology, $48 million for
  construction of a facility for workforce and allied health
  programs;
               (3)  Lamar University, $75 million for renovation of a
  library;
               (4)  Sam Houston State University, $70 million for
  construction of an allied health building located in Conroe, Texas;
  and
               (5)  Texas State University, $141,300,000 for
  construction of a STEM classroom building and health professions
  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 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, $113,400,000 for
  construction of a science and technology research building;
               (2)  the University of North Texas at Dallas, $140
  million for construction of a science building; and
               (3)  the University of North Texas Health Science
  Center at Fort Worth, $84 million for campus space optimization and
  realignment.
         (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
  construction of 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 $108 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.  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 construction of an interdisciplinary
  and applied sciences building, to be financed through the issuance
  of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the
  aggregate principal amount of $53 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. 55.1798.  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, $36 million for
  maintenance and renovation of a central plant;
               (2)  Texas Tech University:
                     (A)  $72 million for renovations to address
  deferred maintenance for campus buildings; and
                     (B)  $8 million for maintenance and program
  enhancement construction in Junction, Texas;
               (3)  Midwestern State University, $50 million for
  renovation of the Bolin Science Hall and other infrastructure; and
               (4)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, $90
  million for maintenance and renovation of an existing facility.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  an institution, branch, or entity of the Texas Tech University
  System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
  made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
  bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
  bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas Tech
  University System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         Sec. 55.1799.  TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS.
  (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter,
  the board of regents of Texas Southern University may acquire,
  purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property
  and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for
  projects to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance
  with this subchapter, not to exceed the following aggregate
  principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:
               (1)  $22,800,000 for renovation of the Nabrit Building;
               (2)  $2,400,000 for upgrades to signage and wayfinding;
               (3)  $40 million for facility maintenance and
  renovation; and
               (4)  $30 million for construction of a health and
  wellness center.
         (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. 55.17991.  TEXAS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM. (a)
  In addition to the other authority granted by this subchapter, the
  board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System may
  acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip
  property and facilities, including roads and related
  infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of
  bonds in accordance with this subchapter for the following entity
  and institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate principal
  amounts for the projects specified, as follows:
               (1)  Texas State Technical College System, $33,300,000
  for the Williamson County campus site phase II;
               (2)  Texas State Technical College--Fort Bend,
  $41,800,000 for construction of phase II of the campus site;
               (3)  Texas State Technical College--Harlingen,
  $37,800,000 for construction of an industrial technology
  performance learning center;
               (4)  Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $15
  million for construction of an industrial technology performance
  learning center;
               (5)  Texas State Technical College--North Texas, $13.5
  million for construction of phase II of the campus site;
               (6)  Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $13.5
  million for construction of phase II of the campus site located in
  Abilene, Texas; and
               (7)  Texas State Technical College--Waco, $53,600,000
  for construction of an industrial technology performance learning
  center.
         (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 Technical
  College System, including student tuition charges.  The amount of a
  pledge made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated
  while the bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to
  refund those bonds, are outstanding.
         (c)  If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
  meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
  funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the Texas State
  Technical College System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
  allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
  entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 55.111 to read as follows:
         Sec. 55.111.  CERTAIN ALLOCATED FUNDS TO BE DESIGNATED AS
  CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE PROJECTS.  For purposes of this
  subchapter, funds allocated from the appropriation of general
  revenue to an institution of higher education to supplement revenue
  funds of the institution described by Section 55.13(a) may be
  designated as "Capital Construction Assistance Projects."
         SECTION 3.  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 4.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.