By: Zerwas, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Seliger) H.B. No. 100
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 13, 2015;
April 23, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Higher
Education; May 14, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable
Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 1;
May 14, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 100 By: Seliger
COMMITTEE VOTE
YeaNayAbsentPNV
SeligerX
WestX
BettencourtX
BurtonX
MenéndezX
PerryX
WatsonX
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 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) $66 million for construction of a
multidisciplinary research and education facility in Bryan, Texas;
(7) Texas A&M International University, $48,449,063
for library renovation through the addition of instructional and
support spaces;
(8) Prairie View A&M University, $19,941,000 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, $71,875,000 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, $57,750,000
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, $73,750,000 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, $73,750,000 for the construction and renovation
of a vivarium and academic and laboratory facilities;
(4) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
San Antonio, $73,750,000 for facility renewal and renovation;
(5) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center, $61,250,000 for construction of the Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan
Al Nahyan building;
(6) The University of Texas Medical Branch at
Galveston, $59,325,000 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, $73,750,000 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 engineering and kinesiology buildings.
(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:
(A) $76,500,000 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) $65,025,000 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, $37,118,500 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, $49 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,
$57,750,000 for construction of a student learning and success
center; and
(4) the University of North Texas Health Science
Center at Fort Worth, $73,750,000 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. (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
laboratory building, to be financed through the issuance of bonds
in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate
principal amount of $37,997,000.
(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 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 an academic expansion and revitalization
project, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance
with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount
of $58,400,000.
(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 $46,400,000.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
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) $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, $71,860,000 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. (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 $60 million.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
Texas 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--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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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