Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2247 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 03/08/2019

                            86R15361 SOS-D
 By: West S.B. No. 2247


 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 55.1791, 55.1792, 55.1793, 55.1794,
 55.1795, 55.1796, 55.1797, 55.1798, 55.1799, and 55.17992 to read
 as follows:
 Sec. 55.1791.  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)  Prairie View A&M University, $60 million for
 construction of an engineering classroom and research building;
 (2)  Tarleton State University, $72 million for
 construction of an agricultural and natural resources building;
 (3)  Texas A&M University, $75 million for construction
 of an instructional laboratory and innovative learning facility;
 (4)  Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $25 million
 for construction of a central utility plant;
 (5)  Texas A&M University--Commerce, $49.5 million for
 construction of an agriculture multipurpose education and training
 center;
 (6)  Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $58.5
 million for construction of an arts and media building;
 (7)  Texas A&M University at Galveston, $58,349,500 for
 construction of an immersive scholarship and learning environment
 building, a central plant, and campus infrastructure;
 (8)  Texas A&M International University, $9 million for
 renovation of and additions to the fine and performing arts
 building;
 (9)  Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $65 million for
 construction of a STEM and health professions workforce development
 complex;
 (10)  Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $53 million
 for construction of an academic and library building;
 (11)  Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for
 construction of a business, engineering, and technology building;
 (12)  West Texas A&M University, $28.5 million for
 capital improvements to address life and fire safety issues; and
 (13)  The Texas A&M University System Health Science
 Center, $100 million for a joint project with The University of
 Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and The University of Texas
 Health Science Center at Houston for construction of a biomedical
 research 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 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. 55.1792.  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 Arlington, $60.8
 million for construction of a social work and college of nursing
 academic building;
 (2)  The University of Texas at Austin, $100 million
 for restoration of the J. T. Patterson Labs building;
 (3)  The University of Texas at Dallas, $60 million for
 a joint project with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
 Center at Dallas for construction of a transitional biomedical
 engineering and science building;
 (4)  The University of Texas at El Paso, $100 million
 for construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex;
 (5)  The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $40
 million for improvement and renovation of the Mesa building;
 (6)  The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley, $70
 million for construction of a health affairs building;
 (7)  The University of Texas at San Antonio, $100
 million for construction of a college of business building;
 (8)  The University of Texas at Tyler, $50 million for
 construction of a college of nursing and health science building;
 (9)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
 Houston, $100 million for a joint project with The Texas A&M
 University System Health Science Center and The University of Texas
 M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for construction of a biomedical
 research facility;
 (10)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
 San Antonio, $82 million for construction of the Glenn Biggs
 Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases building;
 (11)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
 Tyler, $18,521,432 for improvement and renovation of a biomedical
 research building;
 (12)  The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
 Center, $100 million for a joint project with The Texas A&M
 University System Health Science Center and The University of Texas
 Health Science Center at Houston for construction of a biomedical
 research facility;
 (13)  The University of Texas Medical Branch at
 Galveston, $100 million for construction of an education and
 clinical multiuse building; and
 (14)  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
 Center at Dallas, $60 million for a joint project with The
 University of Texas at Dallas for construction of a transitional
 biomedical engineering and science 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. 55.1793.  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 entity and institutions, not to exceed
 the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects
 specified, as follows:
 (1)  the University of Houston System, $75 million for
 the repair and renovation of the campus located in Katy, Texas;
 (2)  the University of Houston, $60 million for
 construction of a law center building;
 (3)  the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $56 million
 for Phase II of the STEM and classroom building construction;
 (4)  the University of Houston--Downtown, $100 million
 for construction of an arts, sciences, engineering, and
 entrepreneurship center; and
 (5)  the University of Houston--Victoria, $74.7
 million 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. 55.1794.  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, $45 million for construction of
 a digital learning center;
 (2)  Lamar State College--Orange, $32 million for
 construction of an academic building;
 (3)  Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $20 million for
 construction of an allied health building;
 (4)  Lamar Institute of Technology, $20 million for
 construction of a workforce training center;
 (5)  Sam Houston State University, $70 million for
 construction of an allied health building;
 (6)  Sul Ross State University, $25.5 million for
 expansion of the fine arts facility;
 (7)  Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College, $20
 million for construction of an education center located in Eagle
 Pass, Texas; and
 (8)  Texas State University, $100 million for
 construction of a STEM classroom building located in San Marcos,
 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 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. 55.1795.  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, $100 million for
 construction of a science and technology research building;
 (2)  the University of North Texas at Dallas, $92
 million for construction of a STEM building; and
 (3)  the University of North Texas Health Science
 Center at Fort Worth, $100 million for construction of an academic
 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. 55.1796.  TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY; ADDITIONAL BONDS.
 (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
 health sciences center, to be financed through the issuance of
 bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the
 aggregate principal amount of $100 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 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. 55.1797.  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 infrastructure upgrades, to be financed
 through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter,
 not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $10 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
 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. 55.1798.  STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY;
 ADDITIONAL BONDS.  (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 natural resources science and
 innovations laboratory, to be financed through the issuance of
 bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the
 aggregate principal amount of $48 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. 55.1799.  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)  Angelo State University, $22.5 million for
 construction of a college of arts and humanities building;
 (2)  Texas Tech University, $100 million for
 construction of a science and engineering complex;
 (3)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center,
 $34,650,000 for expansion of the academic and clinic building
 located in Amarillo, Texas; and
 (4)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El
 Paso, $92,349,000 for construction of a dental school 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. 55.17992.  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 entity
 and institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate principal
 amounts for the projects specified, as follows:
 (1)  Texas State Technical College System, $16.5
 million for Phase II of the industrial technology center located in
 Williamson County;
 (2)  Texas State Technical College--Fort Bend,
 $30,377,000 for Phase III of the campus construction;
 (3)  Texas State Technical College--Harlingen, $20
 million for construction of an industrial technology center;
 (4)  Texas State Technical College--Marshall,
 $8,572,000 for consolidation construction for a single campus;
 (5)  Texas State Technical College--North Texas,
 $10,938,000 for Phase II of the new campus construction;
 (6)  Texas State Technical College--Waco, $20 million
 for construction of a computer technology center; and
 (7)  Texas State Technical College--West Texas,
 $28,177,000 for Phase II of the Abilene campus construction.
 (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 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, 2019.