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BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 100

By: Zerwas

Higher Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Interested parties identify tuition revenue bonds as a method the legislature favors for funding construction in higher education, with classrooms, laboratories, libraries, academic centers, and other critical infrastructure being well-suited to long-term financing. According to the parties, despite an informal agreement that new bonding authority would be provided every other regular legislative session, no new tuition revenue bonds have been authorized for several legislative sessions.

 

University chancellors and presidents have testified about their critical construction needs and the scarcity of alternative revenue sources and indicated that various proposed projects would not be feasible without the issuance of tuition revenue bonds. The parties contend that funding these needs now would be particularly opportune given relatively low interest rates and construction costs and the strain rapid enrollment over the last decade has placed on the state's existing infrastructure.

 

C.S.H.B. 100 seeks to authorize the issuance of revenue bonds to fund certain capital projects at specified public institutions of higher education.

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

The Texas A&M University System

 

C.S.H.B. 100 amends the Education Code to provide the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System with additional bond authority in the following amounts to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for the following projects at the university system to be financed in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board:

·         at Texas A&M University--Commerce, up to $48 million for construction of a nursing and health sciences building;

·         at Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, up to $60 million for construction of a life sciences research and engineering building;

·         at Texas A&M University--Kingsville, up to $60 million for an educational complex;

·         at Texas A&M University--Texarkana, up to $32 million for construction of an academic and student services building;

·         at West Texas A&M University, up to $38,160,000 for construction of an agricultural sciences complex and up to $7.2 million for renovation of the Amarillo Center;

·         at The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, up to $72 million for construction of a dental clinic facility at the Baylor College of Dentistry and up to $72 million for construction of a multidisciplinary research and education facility in Bryan, Texas;

·         at Texas A&M International University, up to $55.2 million for library renovation;

·         at Prairie View A&M University, up to $28,632,000 for construction of a fabrication center and capital improvements;

·         at Tarleton State University, up to $54 million for construction of an applied sciences building and up to $39.6 million for construction of a southwest metroplex building in Tarrant County;

·         at Texas A&M University, up to $80 million for construction of a biocontainment research facility;

·         at Texas A&M University at Galveston, up to $60 million for construction of a classroom and laboratory facility and campus infrastructure;

·         at Texas A&M University--Central Texas, up to $36 million for construction of a multipurpose building; and

·         at Texas A&M University--San Antonio, up to $63 million for construction of a science and technology building and campus infrastructure.

 

C.S.H.B. 100 authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of a university system component and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding. The bill authorizes the board, if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations, to transfer funds among components to ensure the most equitable and efficient allocation of available resources for each component to carry out its duties and purposes.

 

The University of Texas System

 

C.S.H.B. 100 provides the board of regents of The University of Texas System with additional bond authority in the following amounts to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for the following projects at the university system to be financed in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board:

·         at The University of Texas at Austin, up to $80 million for renovation of Robert A. Welch Hall;

·         at The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley, up to $36,432,000 for construction of a multipurpose academic building at the campus in Brownsville and up to $30.6 million for construction of an interdisciplinary engineering academic studies building at the campus in Edinburg;

·         at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, up to $80 million for the construction and renovation of a vivarium and academic and laboratory facilities;

·         at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, up to $80 million for facility renewal and renovation;

·         at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, up to $70 million for construction of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan building;

·         at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, up to $67.8 million for construction of a health education center;

·         at The University of Texas at Arlington, up to $70 million for construction of a science and education innovation and research building;

·         at The University of Texas at Dallas, up to $70 million for construction of an engineering building;

·         at The University of Texas at El Paso, up to $70 million for construction of an interdisciplinary research facility;

·         at The University of Texas at San Antonio, up to $70 million for construction of an instructional science and engineering building;

·         at The University of Texas at Tyler, up to $60 million for construction of a STEM building;

·         at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, up to $80 million for the renovation and modernization of educational and research facilities;

·         at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, up to $14.8 million for the renovation and modernization of educational and research facilities; and

·         at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, up to $48 million for construction of an engineering building.

 

C.S.H.B. 100 authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of a university system component and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding. The bill authorizes the board, if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations, to transfer funds among components to ensure the most equitable and efficient allocation of available resources for each component to carry out its duties and purposes.

 

University of Houston System

 

C.S.H.B. 100 provides the board of regents of the University of Houston System with additional bond authority in the following amounts to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for the following projects at the university system to be financed in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board:

·         at the University of Houston, up to $63 million for construction of a health and biomedical sciences center and up to $54 million for construction of a new academic building located in Sugar Land, Texas;

·         at the University of Houston--Clear Lake, up to $54 million for construction of a STEM and classroom building and up to $24,624,000 for construction of a health sciences and classroom building located in Pearland, Texas;

·         at the University of Houston--Downtown, up to $60 million for construction of a science and technology building;

·         at the University of Houston--Victoria, up to $60 million for academic expansion and land acquisition; and

·         at the University of Houston System, up to $46,832,000 for land acquisition for construction of a building in the area near Katy, Texas.

 

C.S.H.B. 100 authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of a university system component and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding. The bill authorizes the board, if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations, to transfer funds among components to ensure the most equitable and efficient allocation of available resources for each component to carry out its duties and purposes.

 

Texas State University System

 

C.S.H.B. 100 provides the board of regents of the Texas State University System with additional bond authority in the following amounts to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for the following projects at the university system to be financed in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board:

·         at Lamar University, up to $60 million for construction of a science building;

·         at Lamar State College--Orange, up to $10 million for construction of a multipurpose education building;

·         at Lamar State College--Port Arthur, up to $8,080,000 for expansion of technology program facilities;

·         at Lamar Institute of Technology, up to $12.5 million for construction and renovation of technical arts buildings;

·         at Texas State University, up to $63 million for construction of an engineering and sciences building and up to $48.6 million for construction of a health professions building in Round Rock, Texas;

·         at Sam Houston State University, up to $48 million for construction of a biology laboratory building; and

·         at Sul Ross State University, up to $6,240,000 for renovation and modernization of educational and related facilities and infrastructure.

 

C.S.H.B. 100 authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of a university system component and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding. The bill authorizes the board, if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations, to transfer funds among components to ensure the most equitable and efficient allocation of available resources for each component to carry out its duties and purposes.

 

University of North Texas System

 

C.S.H.B. 100 provides the board of regents of the University of North Texas System with additional bond authority in the following amounts to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for the following projects at the university system to be financed in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board:

·         at the University of North Texas System, up to $56 million for renovation of college of law buildings;

·         at the University of North Texas, up to $70 million for construction and renovation of College of Visual Arts and Design facilities;

·         at the University of North Texas at Dallas, up to $63 million for construction of a student learning and success center; and

·         at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, up to $80 million for construction of an interdisciplinary research building.

 

C.S.H.B. 100 authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of a university system component and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding. The bill authorizes the board, if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations, to transfer funds among components to ensure the most equitable and efficient allocation of available resources for each component to carry out its duties and purposes.

 

Texas Woman's University

 

C.S.H.B. 100 provides the board of regents of Texas Woman's University with up to $37,997,000 in additional bond authority to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a laboratory building; authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of the university; and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding.

 

Midwestern State University

 

C.S.H.B. 100 provides the board of regents of Midwestern State University with up to $58.4 million in additional bond authority to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for an academic expansion and revitalization project; authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of the university; and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding.

 

Stephen F. Austin State University

 

C.S.H.B. 100 provides the board of regents of Stephen F. Austin State University with up to $46.4 million in additional bond authority to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research building; authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of the university; and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding.

 

Texas Tech University System

 

C.S.H.B. 100 provides the board of regents of the Texas Tech University System with additional bond authority in the following amounts to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for the following projects at the university system to be financed in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program adopted by the board:

·         at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, up to $60,264,000 for construction of Lubbock education, research, and technology facilities, up to $12,830,400 for construction of the Permian Basic academic facility, and up to $5,715,000 for construction of the Amarillo Panhandle Clinical/Hospital Simulation;

·         at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso, up to $80 million for construction of the El Paso Medical Science Building II;

·         at Texas Tech University, up to $70 million for construction of an experimental sciences high tech interdisciplinary research building; and

·         at Angelo State University, up to $21,360,000 for construction of a College of Health and Human Services building.

 

C.S.H.B. 100 authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of a university system component and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding. The bill authorizes the board, if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations, to transfer funds among components to ensure the most equitable and efficient allocation of available resources for each component to carry out its duties and purposes.

 

Texas Southern University

 

C.S.H.B. 100 provides the board of regents of Texas Southern University with up to $60 million in additional bond authority to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for the Robert J. Terry Library at Texas Southern University; authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of the university; and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding.

 

Texas State Technical College System

 

C.S.H.B. 100 provides the board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System with additional bond authority in the following amounts to acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip property and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for the following projects at the system:

·         at Texas State Technical College--West Texas, up to $12 million for construction of an industrial technology center;

·         at Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, up to $3,750,000 for Phase II of the Engineering Technology Center renovation;

·         at Texas State Technical College--Waco, up to $14,950,000 for construction of the Fort Bend Campus Building #2; and

·         at Texas State Technical College--Marshall, up to $11,040,000 for purchase and renovation of the North Texas Technology Center.

 

C.S.H.B. 100 authorizes the board to back these bonds by pledging revenue funds of a system component and prohibits the reduction or abrogation of a pledge while a bond backed by the pledge or a subsequent refunding bond is outstanding. The bill authorizes the board, if sufficient funds are not available to the board to meet its obligations, to transfer funds among components to ensure the most equitable and efficient allocation of available resources for each component to carry out its duties and purposes.

 

C.S.H.B. 100 expressly 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 the bill.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2015.

 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 100 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

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 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--Commerce, $48 million for construction of a nursing and health sciences building;

(2) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $60 million for construction of a life sciences research and engineering building;

(3) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60,000,000 for an educational complex;

(4) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $32 million for construction of an academic and student services building;

(5) West Texas A&M University, $42,400,000 for construction of an agricultural sciences complex;

 

 

(6) The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center,

$80 million for construction of a dental clinic facility at the Baylor College of Dentistry;

 

 

 

(7) Texas A&M International University, $55,200,000 for library renovation;

(8) Prairie View A&M University, $28,632,000 for construction of a fabrication center and capital improvements;

 

(9) Tarleton State University,

$60,000,000 for construction of an applied sciences building;

 

 

 

(10) Texas A&M University, $80 million for construction of a biocontainment research facility;

(11) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $60 million for construction of an academic building;

 

(12) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $36 million for construction of a multipurpose building; and

(13) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $63 million for construction of a science and technology 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 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 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, $80 million for renovation of Robert A. Welch Hall;

(2) The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley,

$40,480,000 for construction of a multipurpose academic center at the campus in Brownsville;

 

 

 

(3) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, $80 million for the construction and renovation of a vivarium and academic and laboratory facilities;

(4) The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, $80 million for facility renewal and renovation;

(5) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, $70 million for construction of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan building;

(6) The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, $67,800,000 for construction of a health education center;

(7) The University of Texas at Arlington, $70 million for construction of a science and education innovation and research building;

(8) The University of Texas at Dallas, $70 million for construction of an engineering building;

(9) The University of Texas at El Paso, $70 million for construction of an interdisciplinary research facility;

(10) The University of Texas at San Antonio, $70 million for construction of an instructional science and engineering building;

(11) The University of Texas at Tyler, $60 million for construction of a STEM building;

(12) The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, $80 million for the renovation and modernization of educational and research facilities;

(13) The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, $14,800,000 for the renovation of a facility for physician residents training; and

(14) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $48 million for construction of an engineering 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. 55.1783. 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 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 or entities, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:

 

(1) the University of Houston System, $46,832,000 for construction of a building and land purchase in Katy;

(2) the University of Houston,

 $60 million for construction of a health and biomedical sciences center;

 

 

 

(3) the University of Houston--Clear Lake,

 

 

 

$60 million for construction of a STEM and classroom building;

(4) the University of Houston--Downtown, $60 million for construction of a science and technology building; and

(5) the University of Houston--Victoria, $60 million for academic expansion and land acquisition.

 

(See Subdivision (1) above.)

 

 

 

(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 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, $60,000,000 for construction of a science building;

(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $10 million for construction of a multipurpose education building;

(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $8,080,000 for expansion of technology program facilities;

(4) Lamar Institute of Technology, $13,200,000 for construction and renovation of technical arts buildings;

(5) Texas State University,

$70 million for construction of an engineering and sciences building;

 

 

(6) Sam Houston State University, $48 million for construction of a biology laboratory building; and

(7) Sul Ross State University, $6,240,000 for renovation and modernization of educational and related facilities and infrastructure.

(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 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 or entities, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:

(1) the University of North Texas System, $56 million for renovation of college of law buildings;

(2) the University of North Texas, $70 million for construction and renovation of college of visual arts and design facilities;

(3) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $60 million for construction of a library and student success center; and

(4) the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, $80 million for construction of an interdisciplinary research 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. 55.1786. TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY.

 

Sec. 55.1787. MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS.

 

Sec. 55.1788. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY.

 

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 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 Tech University Health Sciences Center,

$66,960,000 for construction of Lubbock education, research, and technology facilities;

 

 

 

 

 

(2) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso, $80,000,000 for construction of the El Paso Medical Science Building II;

(3) Texas Tech University, $70,000,000 for construction of an experimental sciences building; and

 

(4) Angelo State University, $21,360,000 for construction of a College of Health and Human Services 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. 55.17891. TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS.

 

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 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 institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:

(1) Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $12 million for construction of an industrial technology center;

(2) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, $3,750,000 for Phase II of the Engineering Technology Center renovation; and

(3) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $14,950,000 for construction of the Fort Bend Technical Center.

 

 

 

 

(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 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 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--Commerce,  $48 million for construction of a nursing and health sciences building;

(2) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $60 million for construction of a life sciences research and engineering building;

(3) Texas A&M University--Kingsville,  $60 million for an educational complex;

(4) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $32 million for construction of an academic and student services building;

(5) West Texas A&M University:

(A) $38,160,000 for construction of an agricultural sciences complex; and

(B) $7,200,000 for renovation of the Amarillo Center;

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

(A) $72 million for construction of a dental clinic facility at the Baylor College of Dentistry; and

(B) $72 million for construction of a multidisciplinary research and education facility in Bryan, Texas;

(7) Texas A&M International University, $55,200,000 for library renovation;

(8) Prairie View A&M University, $28,632,000 for construction of a fabrication center and capital improvements;

 

(9) Tarleton State University:

(A) $54 million for construction of an applied sciences building; and

(B) $39,600,000 for construction of a southwest metroplex building in Tarrant County;

(10) Texas A&M University, $80 million for construction of a biocontainment research facility;

(11) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $60 million for construction of a classroom and laboratory facility and campus infrastructure;

(12) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $36 million for construction of a multipurpose building; and

(13) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $63 million for construction of a science and technology building and campus infrastructure.

(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 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, $80 million for renovation of Robert A. Welch Hall;

(2) The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley:

(A) $36,432,000 for construction of a multipurpose academic building at the campus in Brownsville; and

(B) $30,600,000 for construction of an interdisciplinary engineering academic studies building at the campus in Edinburg;

(3) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, $80 million for the construction and renovation of a vivarium and academic and laboratory facilities;

(4) The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, $80 million for facility renewal and renovation;

(5) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, $70 million for construction of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan building;

(6) The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, $67,800,000 for construction of a health education center;

(7) The University of Texas at Arlington, $70 million for construction of a science and education innovation and research building;

(8) The University of Texas at Dallas, $70 million for construction of an engineering building;

(9) The University of Texas at El Paso, $70 million for construction of an interdisciplinary research facility;

(10) The University of Texas at San Antonio, $70 million for construction of an instructional science and engineering building;

(11) The University of Texas at Tyler, $60 million for construction of a STEM building;

(12) The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, $80 million for the renovation and modernization of educational and research facilities;

(13) The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, $14,800,000 for the renovation and modernization of educational and research facilities; and

(14) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $48 million for construction of an engineering 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. 55.1783. 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 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 or entities, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:

 

(See Subdivision (5) below.)

 

 

(1) the University of Houston:

(A) $63 million for construction of a health and biomedical sciences center; and

(B) $54 million for construction of a new academic building located in Sugar Land, Texas;

(2) the University of Houston--Clear Lake:

(A) $24,624,000 for construction of a health sciences and classroom building located in Pearland, Texas; and

(B) $54 million for construction of a STEM and classroom building;

(3) the University of Houston--Downtown, $60 million for construction of a science and technology building;

(4) the University of Houston--Victoria, $60 million for academic expansion and land acquisition; and

 

(5) the University of Houston System, $46,832,000 for land acquisition for construction of a building in the area near Katy, 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 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 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, $60 million for construction of a science building;

(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $10 million for construction of a multipurpose education building;

(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $8,080,000 for expansion of technology program facilities;

(4) Lamar Institute of Technology, $12,500,000 for construction and renovation of technical arts buildings;

(5) Texas State University:

(A) $63 million for construction of an engineering and sciences building; and

(B) $48,600,000 for construction of a health professions building in Round Rock, Texas;

(6) Sam Houston State University, $48 million for construction of a biology laboratory building; and

(7) Sul Ross State University, $6,240,000 for renovation and modernization of educational and related facilities and infrastructure.

(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 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 or entities, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:

(1) the University of North Texas System, $56 million for renovation of college of law buildings;

(2) the University of North Texas, $70 million for construction and renovation of college of visual arts and design facilities;

(3) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $63 million for construction of a student learning and success center; and

(4) the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, $80 million for construction of an interdisciplinary research 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. 55.1786. TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY.

 

Sec. 55.1787. MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS.

 

Sec. 55.1788. STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY.

 

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 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 Tech University Health Sciences Center:

(A) $60,264,000 for construction of Lubbock education, research, and technology facilities;

(B) $12,830,400 for construction of the Permian Basic academic facility; and

(C) $5,715,000 for construction of the Amarillo Panhandle Clinical/Hospital Simulation;

(2) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El Paso, $80 million for construction of the El Paso Medical Science Building II;

(3) Texas Tech University, $70 million for construction of an experimental sciences high tech interdisciplinary research building; and

(4) Angelo State University, $21,360,000 for construction of a College of Health and Human Services 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. 55.17891. TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS.

 

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 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 institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified, as follows:

(1) Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $12 million for construction of an industrial technology center;

(2) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, $3,750,000 for Phase II of the Engineering Technology Center renovation;

 

(3) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $14,950,000 for construction of the Fort Bend Campus Building #2; and

(4) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $11,040,000 for purchase and renovation of the North Texas Technology Center.

(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. 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 2. Same as introduced version.

 

 

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.