By: Seliger S.B. No. 3
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; making
an appropriation.
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 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, $40 million for a
library and technology center;
(2) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $60 million
for a life sciences research building;
(3) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $42 million for
music building expansion and renovation of Jones Auditorium;
(4) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $36.8 million
for an academic and laboratory learning center;
(5) West Texas A&M University, $12 million for the
Amarillo Center;
(6) The Texas A&M University System Health Science
Center:
(A) $7.2 million for facilities in Round Rock,
Texas;
(B) $36 million for a research building in
Temple, Texas; and
(C) $64 million for an education center and
research building in Dallas, Texas;
(7) Texas A&M International University, $46.8 million
for library renovation, additional instructional spaces, and a
support services building;
(8) Prairie View A&M University, $12.8 million for
critical deferred maintenance;
(9) Tarleton State University:
(A) $52 million for the Gates Agriculture and
Business Building; and
(B) $12 million for the Midlothian Higher
Education Center;
(10) Texas A&M University, $64 million for a
biocontainment research facility;
(11) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $44 million
for an academic building;
(12) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $50 million
for a science, health science, and wellness building; and
(13) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $70 million
for 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, $95 million for
an engineering education and research center;
(2) The University of Texas at Brownsville or its
successor university, $100 million for a new campus in Brownsville;
(3) The University of Texas--Pan American, $78.4
million for Science Building II;
(4) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center at Dallas, $60 million for north campus Phase VI vivarium and
research facilities;
(5) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
San Antonio, $11.2 million for a South Texas diabetes institute and
for an enhanced performance laboratory of the Barshop Institute for
Longevity and Aging Studies;
(6) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center, $50 million for a personalized cancer care building;
(7) The University of Texas Medical Branch at
Galveston, $40 million for a health education center;
(8) The University of Texas at Arlington, $64.3
million for renovation of and addition to a life science building;
(9) The University of Texas at Dallas, $76 million for
an engineering building;
(10) The University of Texas at El Paso, $88 million
for an interdisciplinary research facility;
(11) The University of Texas at San Antonio, $74.2
million for an experimental science instructional building;
(12) The University of Texas at Tyler, $38.8 million
for a STEM and business complex and renovation of the business
building;
(13) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston, $100 million for the renovation and modernization of
educational and research facilities;
(14) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Tyler, $4,804,000 for the Riter Center Primary Care Training Center
renovation; and
(15) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $48
million for 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, not to exceed the
following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified,
as follows:
(1) the University of Houston, $70 million for a
pharmacy and biomedical sciences building;
(2) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $67.2
million for a science and academic support building;
(3) the University of Houston--Downtown, $37.2
million for a science and technology building; and
(4) the University of Houston--Victoria, $78,356,800
for campus expansion.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
an institution, branch, or entity of the University of Houston
System, including student tuition charges. The amount of a pledge
made under this subsection may not be reduced or abrogated while the
bonds for which the pledge is made, or bonds issued to refund those
bonds, are outstanding.
(c) If sufficient funds are not available to the board to
meet its obligations under this section, the board may transfer
funds among institutions, branches, and entities of the University
of Houston System to ensure the most equitable and efficient
allocation of available resources for each institution, branch, or
entity to carry out its duties and purposes.
Sec. 55.1784. 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, $33 million for a science
building;
(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $14,222,400 for a
multipurpose education building;
(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $2,180,000 for
an addition to the allied health building;
(4) Lamar Institute of Technology, $12 million for
renovation and replacement of the technical arts buildings;
(5) Texas State University--San Marcos:
(A) $44.8 million for a medical education and
research building in Round Rock, Texas; and
(B) $73,265,729 for an engineering and science
building;
(6) Sam Houston State University, $31,720,000 for a
biology, nursing, and allied health building; and
(7) Sul Ross State University, $3.4 million 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, not to exceed the
following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified,
as follows:
(1) the University of North Texas System, $56 million
for college of law building renovations;
(2) the University of North Texas, $73.6 million for a
college of visual arts and design facility;
(3) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $70
million for a library and student success center; and
(4) the University of North Texas Health Science
Center at Fort Worth, $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 property and
facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a
science and technology learning center, to be financed through the
issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed
the aggregate principal amount of $37,996,928.
(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
property and facilities, including roads and related
infrastructure, for library, College of Education, and information
technology 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
$23,992,000.
(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 property
and facilities, including roads and related infrastructure, for a
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research
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 $45 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 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) $36 million for Lubbock education, research,
and technology facilities;
(B) $79.2 million for the El Paso Medical Science
Building II; and
(C) $17,010,000 for the Permian Basin academic
facility;
(2) Texas Tech University, $70.2 million for a
research building; and
(3) Angelo State University, $14,896,000 for a 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. (a) In addition to the other authority granted by this
subchapter, the board of regents of Texas Southern University may
acquire, purchase, construct, improve, renovate, enlarge, or equip
property and facilities, including roads and related
infrastructure, for 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 $54,700,000.
(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 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 System, $35 million
for the Ellis County Extension Center;
(2) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, $2.4
million for Phase II of the Engineering Technology Center
renovation;
(3) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $1.2
million for renovation of aviation technology facilities; 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. This Act does not affect any authority or
restriction regarding the activities that a public institution of
higher education may conduct in connection with a facility financed
by bonds authorized by this Act.
SECTION 3. (a) The amount of $175 million is appropriated
out of the general revenue fund to the comptroller of public
accounts for the state fiscal year ending August 31, 2015, for
distribution to institutions of higher education and university
systems for debt service on revenue bonds authorized by this Act.
(b) The comptroller shall distribute a portion of the amount
appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section to each institution
of higher education or university system, as applicable, in
accordance with calculations made by the Legislative Budget Board
of each institution's or system's proportionate share of the amount
appropriated based on the amount of revenue bonds authorized by
this Act for each institution or system.
(c) The Legislative Budget Board shall make the initial
calculations under this section and notify the comptroller and the
applicable institutions of higher education and university systems
of the respective shares to be distributed under this section as
soon as practicable. The Legislative Budget Board may make
adjustments to those calculations and provide a final determination
of those shares.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
last day of the legislative session.