By: Zaffirini	S.B. No. 26

	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 55.1781, 55.1782, 55.1783, 55.1784,
	55.1785, 55.1786, 55.1787, 55.1788, 55.1789, 55.17891, and
	55.17892 to read as follows:
	Sec. 55.1781.  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 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 institutions and
	facilities identified in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
	Board tuition revenue bond evaluation report submitted to the
	Legislative Budget Board by January 15, 2013.
	(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. 55.1782.  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 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 institutions and
	facilities identified in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
	Board tuition revenue bond evaluation report submitted to the
	Legislative Budget Board by January 15, 2013.
	(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. 55.1783.  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 facilities, including roads and related
	infrastructure, for the following institutions, 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 institutions and facilities identified
	in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board tuition revenue
	bond evaluation report submitted to the Legislative Budget Board by
	January 15, 2013.
	(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. 55.1784.  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 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
	institutions and facilities identified in the Texas Higher
	Education Coordinating Board tuition revenue bond evaluation
	report submitted to the Legislative Budget Board by January 15,
	2013.
	(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. 55.1785.  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 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
	institutions and facilities identified in the Texas Higher
	Education Coordinating Board tuition revenue bond evaluation
	report submitted to the Legislative Budget Board by January 15,
	2013.
	(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. 55.1786.  TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY.  (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 facilities,
	including roads and related infrastructure, for projects to be
	financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this
	subchapter and identified in the Texas Higher Education
	Coordinating Board tuition revenue bond evaluation report
	submitted to the Legislative Budget Board by January 15, 2013.
	(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. 55.1787.  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
	facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, identified
	in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board tuition revenue
	bond evaluation report submitted to the Legislative Budget Board by
	January 15, 2013.
	(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. 55.1788.  STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY.  (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
	facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, identified
	in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board tuition revenue
	bond evaluation report submitted to the Legislative Budget Board by
	January 15, 2013.
	(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. 55.1789.  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 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
	institutions and facilities identified in the Texas Higher
	Education Coordinating Board tuition revenue bond evaluation
	report submitted to the Legislative Budget Board by January 15,
	2013.
	(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. 55.17891.  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
	facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, identified
	in the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board tuition revenue
	bond evaluation report submitted to the Legislative Budget Board by
	January 15, 2013.
	(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. 55.17892.  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, buildings, structures, facilities, roads, or related
	infrastructure, for projects to be financed through the issuance of
	bonds in accordance with this subchapter and identified in the
	Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board tuition revenue bond
	evaluation report submitted to the Legislative Budget Board by
	January 15, 2013.
	(b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
	bonds 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.  Section 61.0572(e), Education Code, is amended
	to read as follows:
	(e)  Approval of the board is not required to acquire real
	property that is financed by bonds issued under Section 55.17(e)(3)
	or (4), 55.1713-55.1718, 55.1721-55.1728, 55.1735(a)(1), 55.174,
	55.1742, 55.1743, 55.1744, 55.1751-55.17592, 55.1768, 55.1771,
	[or] 55.17721, or 55.1781-55.17892, except that the board shall
	review all real property to be financed by bonds issued under those
	sections to determine whether the property meets the standards
	adopted by the board for cost, efficiency, and space use.  If the
	property does not meet those standards, the board shall notify the
	governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of
	representatives, and the Legislative Budget Board.
	SECTION 3.  Section 61.058(b), Education Code, is amended to
	read as follows:
	(b)  This section does not apply to construction, repair, or
	rehabilitation financed by bonds issued under Section 55.17(e)(3)
	or (4), 55.1713-55.1718, 55.1721-55.1728, 55.174, 55.1742,
	55.1743, 55.1744, 55.1751-55.17592, 55.1768, 55.1771, [or]
	55.17721, or 55.1781-55.17892, except that the board shall review
	all construction, repair, or rehabilitation to be financed by bonds
	issued under those sections to determine whether the construction,
	rehabilitation, or repair meets the standards adopted by board rule
	for cost, efficiency, and space use.  If the construction,
	rehabilitation, or repair does not meet those standards, the board
	shall notify the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of
	the house of representatives, and the Legislative Budget Board.
	SECTION 4.  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 5.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2013.