By: Murphy, Frullo, Huberty, H.B. No. 1530

Turner of Tarrant, Burns, et al.

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 Section 55.111 to read as follows:

Sec. 55.111. CERTAIN ALLOCATED FUNDS TO BE DESIGNATED AS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT DEBT ASSISTANCE. 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 Improvement Debt Assistance."

SECTION 2. 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 a teaching and academic student support services facility;

(2) Tarleton State University, $63 million for construction of a College of Health Sciences and Human Services building on the Stephenville campus;

(3) Texas A&M University, $174 million for construction of a biological and chemical science complex;

(4) Texas A&M University--Commerce, $95 million for construction of an agricultural education and research complex;

(5) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $92.5 million for construction of an arts and media building;

(6) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $40.5 million for upgrades to the dock and other infrastructure;

(7) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60 million for construction of agricultural facilities;

(8) Tarleton State University, $54 million for expansion of the Fort Worth campus;

(9) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $45 million for construction of a central utility plant and infrastructure upgrades;

(10) West Texas A&M University, $65,750,000 for infrastructure upgrades to address health and safety issues and the renovation of an education building;

(11) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $67.5 million for construction of a public health and education building;

(12) Texas A&M International University, $80 million for construction of health science education and research centers;

(13) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for construction of a business, engineering, and technology building;

(14) West Texas A&M University, $33,353,000 for renovation of nine buildings to address health and safety issues related to the state fire marshal's report; and

(15) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center:

(A) $90 million for construction of the Texas Medical Center Building 3 in Houston, Texas; and

(B) $36 million for construction of a nursing education and research center in McAllen, 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 Arlington, $120,600,000 for renovation of the Life Science building;

(2) The University of Texas at Austin, $90 million for renovation of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building;

(3) The University of Texas at Dallas, $76.5 million for construction of a student success center;

(4) The University of Texas at El Paso, $90 million for construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex;

(5) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $63 million for renovation of the Mesa building and campus transformation;

(6) The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley, $68,400,000 for construction of a health affairs building;

(7) The University of Texas at San Antonio, $145,125,000 for construction of an Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Careers building;

(8) The University of Texas at Tyler, $68,400,000 for construction of a sciences building;

(9) The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, $90 million for construction of a public health education and research building;

(10) The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, $99 million for construction of the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases building;

(11) The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, $63 million for construction of a health professions education center;

(12) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, $90 million for construction of a life sciences research, innovation, and discovery initiative facility;

(13) The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, $98,277,943 for infrastructure and research space upgrades for research buildings; and

(14) UT Southwestern Medical Center, $90,144,468 for construction of the north campus Phase VI Brain Institute shell space.

(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:

(A) $92,250,000 for construction of the Katy Academic Building 2; and

(B) $128 million for construction of a medical research facility;

(2) the University of Houston:

(A) $39,513,206 for construction of the Hobby School of Public Affairs building; and

(B) $92,250,000 for construction of the Sugarland Academic Building 2;

(3) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $40 million for renovation of the Bayou Building, the Delta Building, and the Student Services and Classroom Building;

(4) the University of Houston--Downtown:

(A) $5 million for renovation of the student services and classroom building;

(B) $10 million for the construction of the Police Department and Criminal Justice Academy building; and

(C) $15 million for additions to the Girard Street building; and

(5) the University of Houston--Victoria:

(A) $33,825,000 for construction of a health science building; and

(B) $39,975,000 for construction of an engineering 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 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 replacement of an academic building to house general academic instruction and information technology services;

(2) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $55 million for construction of an allied health and sciences building;

(3) Lamar Institute of Technology, $48 million for construction of a facility for workforce and allied health programs;

(4) Lamar University, $75 million for renovation of a library;

(5) Sul Ross State University, $35,250,000 for renovation of fine arts facilities;

(6) Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College, $44,200,000 for construction of a multipurpose education and services building;

(7) Sam Houston State University:

(A) $70 million for construction of an allied health building; and

(B) $60 million for construction of an active learning center; and

(8) Texas State University:

(A) $157 million for construction of a STEM classroom building located in San Marcos, Texas; and

(B) $88 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:

(A) $126 million for construction of a science and technology research building; and

(B) $85 million for construction of a commerce, analytics, technology, and engineering building in Frisco, Texas;

(2) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $163 million for construction of a science building; and

(3) the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, $42 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 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. 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 renovation of an existing building and other campus infrastructure upgrades, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $41 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 demolition of the Miller Science Building, renovation of the Forestry Building, and construction of a new addition, 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. 55.1799. 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, $36 million for a central plant maintenance and renovation;

(2) Texas Tech University, $72 million for renovations to address deferred maintenance for campus buildings;

(3) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center:

(A) $90 million for maintenance and renovation of an existing facility; and

(B) $25 million for construction and equipment of the physician assistant facility in Midland, Texas; and

(4) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso, $163,080,000 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 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) $22.8 million for renovation of the Nabrit Building;

(2) $59 million for construction of the Lanier East Building; and

(3) $2.4 million for upgrades to signage and wayfinding.

(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, $33.3 million for the East Williamson County Higher Education Center expansion;

(2) Texas State Technical College--Fort Bend, $41,800,000 for Fort Bend County campus expansion;

(3) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, $37,800,000 for Harlingen campus expansion;

(4) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $15 million for Marshall campus expansion;

(5) Texas State Technical College--North Texas, $13.5 million for North Texas campus expansion; and

(6) Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $13.5 million for West Texas 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 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 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 September 1, 2021.