84R11478 AAF-F
By: Schofield H.B. No. 3323
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of the University of Houston-Katy
campus and authorization for the issuance of revenue bonds to fund
an academic building at the campus.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 111, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter J to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J. THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-KATY
Sec. 111.131. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON-KATY. There is
established in Harris County a coeducational institution of higher
education to be known as the University of Houston-Katy. The
institution shall be located on land currently owned by the
University of Houston System, land purchased by the University of
Houston System, or land acquired by the University of Houston
System by donation.
Sec. 111.132. ORGANIZATION AND CONTROL. The organization
and control of the University of Houston-Katy are vested in the
board of regents of the University of Houston System. The board of
regents has all rights, powers, and duties with respect to the
University of Houston-Katy that it has with respect to the
organization and control of the University of Houston, except as
otherwise provided by this subchapter.
Sec. 111.133. ROLE AND SCOPE. The University of
Houston-Katy shall offer undergraduate and graduate programs.
Sec. 111.134. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The board of regents of the
University of Houston System may accept and administer gifts and
grants for the use and benefit of the University of Houston-Katy.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 55.178312 to read as follows:
Sec. 55.178312. 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 an academic building located in Harris
County in or near Katy, Texas, to be financed through the issuance
of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, including bonds issued
in accordance with a systemwide revenue financing program and
secured as provided by that program, in an aggregate principal
amount not to exceed $58,540,000.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
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.
SECTION 3. The board of regents of the University of Houston
System, as soon as practicable following the effective date of this
Act consistent with available resources and any required approval
by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, shall establish
the University of Houston-Katy in accordance with this Act.
SECTION 4. 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, 2015.