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  82R2933 KSD-D
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 272
 
 
 
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 following
  institutions and facilities not to exceed the following aggregate
  principal amounts for the projects specified as follows:
               (1)  Tarleton State University, $27,150,000 for
  instructional and student success space renovation;
               (2)  Texas A&M University--Commerce, $45,900,000 for
  renovation of the University Library and a distance education
  technology center;
               (3)  Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $75 million
  for a life sciences building;
               (4)  Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $40 million for
  a music building expansion and renovation and acoustical
  modifications to Jones Auditorium;
               (5)  Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for
  nursing, allied health sciences, and College of Business classroom
  facilities;
               (6)  West Texas A&M University, $20 million for
  academic facility expansion, renovation, and construction;
               (7)  The Texas A&M University System Health Science
  Center, $55 million for a medical education and research building
  in Bryan, Texas;
               (8)  Prairie View A&M University, $17,559,310 for a
  multipurpose classroom and laboratory building;
               (9)  Texas A&M University, $115 million for a
  veterinary medicine and biomedical sciences education building;
               (10)  Texas A&M University at Galveston, $45 million
  for the rehabilitation and expansion of infrastructure and the
  central plant;
               (11)  Texas A&M International University, $50 million
  for library expansion for additional instructional spaces and
  construction of a support services building;
               (12)  Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $60 million
  for a library/multipurpose building; and
               (13)  Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $45 million
  for an academic classroom and library 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 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, $74,800,000
  for a life science building;
               (2)  The University of Texas at Austin, $100 million
  for an engineering education and research center;
               (3)  The University of Texas at Brownsville, $63
  million for a student success center;
               (4)  The University of Texas at Dallas, $76,500,000 for
  a bioengineering and science building;
               (5)  The University of Texas at El Paso, $90 million for
  an interdisciplinary research facility (Barry/Burges Hall
  replacement);
               (6)  The University of Texas--Pan American:
                     (A)  $48,368,000 for the Science Building II; and
                     (B)  $46 million for College of Business
  renovation and expansion;
               (7)  The University of Texas of the Permian Basin:
                     (A)  $53,500,000 for the construction of a College
  of Engineering building; and
                     (B)  $18 million for campus renovation and repair;
               (8)  The University of Texas at San Antonio,
  $92,750,000 for an experimental science instructional building;
               (9)  The University of Texas at Tyler, $46 million for a
  technology and life sciences building;
               (10)  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
  Center at Dallas, $52 million for south campus building renovation
  and repair;
               (11)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Houston, $54 million for the renovation and modernization of
  educational and research facilities;
               (12)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  San Antonio:
                     (A)  $6 million for a South Texas diabetes
  institute; and
                     (B)  $55 million for an academic learning and
  teaching center building;
               (13)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Tyler, $27,792,000 for Phase II of the Academic Center; and
               (14)  The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
  Center, $50 million for a Basic Science Research Building II.
         (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, in aggregate principal amounts not to exceed
  the following:
               (1)  the University of Houston:
                     (A)  $89,500,000 for a nanotechnology science and
  engineering research building;
                     (B)  $47,300,000 for a new pharmacy building; and
                     (C)  $65 million for central plant renewal and
  utility infrastructure deferred maintenance;
               (2)  the University of Houston--Clear Lake,
  $68,600,000 for a science and academic support building;
               (3)  the University of Houston--Downtown, $41,429,000
  for a science and technology building; and
               (4)  the University of Houston--Victoria, $61,500,000
  for an academic/office/laboratory 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. 55.1784.  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
  following institutions not to exceed the following aggregate
  principal amounts for the projects specified as follows:
               (1)  Lamar University, $25 million for the construction
  of a new science building;
               (2)  Lamar State College--Orange, $6,410,000 for a
  workforce training center;
               (3)  Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $2 million for
  an addition to the allied health building;
               (4)  Lamar Institute of Technology:
                     (A)  $12 million for a student services and
  learning support center; and
                     (B)  $12 million for the renovation/replacement
  of the technical arts buildings;
               (5)  Texas State University--San Marcos:
                     (A)  $48,820,000 for the construction of the
  RRHEC-Health Professions Building #1;
                     (B)  $31,900,000 for the construction of the
  RRHEC-Health Professions Building #2;
                     (C)  $56,705,000 for the construction of a music
  building; and
                     (D)  $70 million for the construction of a new
  engineering and science building;
               (6)  Sam Houston State University:
                     (A)  $39,650,000 for a biology, nursing, and
  allied health building;
                     (B)  $19,575,000 for a forensic science building;
  and
                     (C)  $24,881,000 for construction of an
  agriculture complex and academic building; and
               (7)  Sul Ross State University, $7,500,000 for the
  campus boiler and other related infrastructure replacement.
         (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
  following institutions and facilities not to exceed the following
  aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified as follows:
               (1)  the University of North Texas System, $46 million
  for college of law building renovations;
               (2)  the University of North Texas:
                     (A)  $63 million for a College of Visual Arts and
  Design building; and
                     (B)  $48 million for a science and technology
  research facility;
               (3)  the University of North Texas at Dallas, $63
  million for a library and student success center; and
               (4)  the University of North Texas Health Sciences
  Center, $66,600,000 for 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. (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 not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts
  for the projects specified as follows:
               (1)  $42 million for the demolition of the graduate
  research building and construction of a new graduate research
  building;
               (2)  $17,500,000 for Phase II of the old main building
  renovation;
               (3)  $9,500,000 for academic and administrative
  support services facilities; and
               (4)  $5,600,000 for Phase III of infrastructure
  upgrades.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
  authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
  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, for
  library, College of Education, and student academic services
  facilities at Midwestern State University, to be financed through
  the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter not to
  exceed the aggregate principal amount of $58,985,500.
         (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, for a
  molecular sciences building at Stephen F. Austin State University,
  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
  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 not to
  exceed the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects
  specified as follows:
               (1)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center:
                     (A)  $40,500,000 for Lubbock
  education/research/technology facilities;
                     (B)  $58,500,000 for the El Paso Medical Science
  Building II;
                     (C)  $27 million for the El Paso Clinical Sciences
  Building;
                     (D)  $17,010,000 for the Permian Basin academic
  facility; and
                     (E)  $14,850,000 for the Amarillo Panhandle
  clinical/hospital simulation center;
               (2)  Texas Tech University:
                     (A)  $81 million for the expansion and renovation
  of the College of Engineering; and
                     (B)  $78,975,000 for the Experimental Science
  Building II; and
               (3)  Angelo State University, $14,580,000 for the
  College of Nursing and Allied Health.
         (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, for the
  Robert J. Terry Library at Texas Southern University, to be
  financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this
  subchapter not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of
  $64,518,444.
         (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 not to exceed the
  following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified as
  follows:
               (1)  Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, $5
  million for Phase II of the energy/engineering center renovation;
               (2)  Texas State Technical College--West Texas:
                     (A)  $1 million for the energy management system;
  and
                     (B)  $2 million for a diesel technologies center;
               (3)  Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $2
  million for a transportation technologies center; and
               (4)  Texas State Technical College--Waco, $5 million
  for water system infrastructure replacement.
         (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, 2011.