87R2351 MM-D

By: Turner of Tarrant H.B. No. 449

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects at certain 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, 55.17991, and 55.17992 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, $60 million for construction of an engineering classroom and research building;

(2) Tarleton State University, $72 million for construction of an agricultural and natural resources building;

(3) Texas A&M University:

(A) $65 million for construction of an instructional laboratory and innovative learning facility; and

(B) $30 million for construction of a research facility and nursing instruction center at the Higher Education Center in McAllen, Texas;

(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 agriculture 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, $40 million for construction of an immersive scholarship and learning environment building, a central plant, and campus infrastructure;

(8) Texas A&M International University, $60 million for construction of a student classroom and events center;

(9) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60 million for construction of a STEM and 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 to address life and fire safety 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 a joint project with The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for construction of a biomedical research 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 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:

(A) $76 million for construction of a social work and college of nursing academic building; and

(B) $59 million for rehabilitation and renovation of the life sciences building;

(2) The University of Texas at Austin, $135 million for restoration of the J. T. Patterson Labs building;

(3) The University of Texas at Dallas:

(A) $60 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 on The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas campus; and

(B) $75 million for construction of a student success center on The University of Texas at Dallas campus;

(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 at 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, $100 million for a joint project with The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for construction of a biomedical research facility;

(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, $18,521,432 for improvement and renovation of a biomedical research building;

(12) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, $100 million for a joint project with The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center and The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston for construction of a biomedical research facility;

(13) The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, $120 million for construction of an education and clinical multiuse building; and

(14) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas:

(A) $60 million for a joint project with The University of Texas at Dallas for construction of a translational biomedical engineering and science building on The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas campus; and

(B) $60 million for construction of the Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute research 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 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 entity and institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:

(1) the University of Houston System, $50 million for construction of an academic, administration, and student services building on the Katy, Texas, campus;

(2) the University of Houston:

(A) $50 million for construction of a law center building; and

(B) $35 million for construction of the Hobby School for Public Affairs building;

(3) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $56 million for Phase II of the STEM and classroom building construction;

(4) the University of Houston--Downtown:

(A) $85 million for construction of an arts, sciences, engineering, entrepreneurship, collaboration retention, and academic engagement facility; and

(B) $15 million for repurposing the Student Life Center as a student union building; and

(5) the University of Houston--Victoria, $60 million 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 a digital learning center;

(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $32 million for construction of an academic building;

(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur:

(A) $20 million for construction of an allied health building; and

(B) $1,012,500 for construction of a workforce training center;

(4) Lamar Institute of Technology:

(A) $20 million for construction of a workforce training center; and

(B) $1,100,000 for construction of a professional truck driving academy building;

(5) Sam Houston State University, $70 million for construction of an allied health building;

(6) Sul Ross State University, $25.5 million for expansion of the fine arts facility;

(7) Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College, $20 million for construction of an education center located in Eagle Pass, Texas; and

(8) Texas State University:

(A) $90 million for construction of a STEM classroom building located in San Marcos, Texas; and

(B) $45 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, $80 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 $100 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 resources 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 a college of arts and humanities building;

(2) Texas Tech University, $118,080,000 for construction of a science and engineering complex;

(3) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center:

(A) $34,650,000 for expansion of the academic and clinic building located in Amarillo, Texas; and

(B) $55 million for expansion of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences building in Midland, 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.

Sec. 55.17991. 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 deferred maintenance for campus facilities, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $50 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. 55.17992. 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, $16.5 million for Phase II of the industrial technology center located in Williamson County;

(2) Texas State Technical College--Fort Bend, $30,377,000 for Phase III of the campus construction;

(3) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, $20 million for construction of an industrial technology center;

(4) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $8,572,000 for consolidation construction for a single campus;

(5) Texas State Technical College--North Texas, $10,938,000 for Phase II of the new campus construction;

(6) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $20 million for construction of a computer technology center; and

(7) Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $28,177,000 for Phase II of the Abilene campus construction.

(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. 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. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.