By: Creighton S.B. No. 52
(In the Senate - Filed October 12, 2021; October 12, 2021,
read first time and referred to Committee on Higher Education;
October 14, 2021, reported adversely, with favorable Committee
Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0;
October 14, 2021, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 52 By: Creighton
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 55.17991 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) Texas A&M University, $140 million for
construction of a clinical veterinary teaching and research
complex;
(2) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $50 million
for construction of a central plant and infrastructure upgrades;
(3) Texas A&M University--Commerce, $40 million for
infrastructure upgrades to address accessibility for persons with
disabilities and health and safety issues;
(4) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60 million to
address deferred maintenance;
(5) West Texas A&M University, $65,750,000 for
infrastructure upgrades to address health and safety issues and the
renovation of an education building;
(6) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $60 million for
construction of a public health and education building;
(7) Texas A&M International University, $80 million
for construction of a health science education and research center;
(8) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for
construction of a business, engineering, and technology building;
and
(9) The Texas A&M University System Health Science
Center, $80 million for construction of the Texas Medical Center
Building 3 in Houston, 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 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 Austin, $80 million for
renovation of the Microelectronics Research Center at the
J. J. Pickle Research Campus;
(2) The University of Texas at Arlington, $107,200,000
for renovation of the Life Science Building;
(3) The University of Texas at Dallas, $68 million for
construction of a student success center;
(4) The University of Texas at El Paso, $80 million for
construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex;
(5) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $56
million for renovation of the Mesa Building;
(6) The University of Texas at Tyler, $60,800,000 for
construction of a sciences building;
(7) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center, $80 million for construction of a life sciences research,
innovation, and discovery facility; and
(8) The University of Texas Medical Branch at
Galveston, $87,358,171 for infrastructure and research space
upgrades for research 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. 55.1793. 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 institutions, not to exceed the
following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified,
as follows:
(1) the University of Houston System, $128 million for
construction of a medical research facility;
(2) the University of Houston, $118,800,000 for
construction of the IDEA Lab;
(3) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $60 million
for renovation of the Bayou Building, the Delta Building, and the
Student Services and Classroom Building; and
(4) the University of Houston--Victoria, $21,280,469
for renovation of existing buildings and other campus
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
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 State College--Orange, $42 million for the
construction of an academic building to house general academic
instruction and information technology services;
(2) Lamar Institute of Technology, $48 million for
construction of a facility for workforce and allied health
programs;
(3) Lamar University, $75 million for renovation of a
library;
(4) Sam Houston State University, $70 million for
construction of an allied health building located in Conroe, Texas;
and
(5) Texas State University, $141,300,000 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, $113,400,000 for
construction of a science and technology research building;
(2) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $140
million for construction of a science building; and
(3) the University of North Texas Health Science
Center at Fort Worth, $84 million for campus space optimization and
realignment.
(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
construction of 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 $108 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. 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 construction of an interdisciplinary
and applied sciences building, to be financed through the issuance
of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the
aggregate principal amount of $53 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. 55.1798. 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, $36 million for
maintenance and renovation of a central plant;
(2) Texas Tech University:
(A) $72 million for renovations to address
deferred maintenance for campus buildings; and
(B) $8 million for maintenance and program
enhancement construction in Junction, Texas;
(3) Midwestern State University, $50 million for
renovation of the Bolin Science Hall and other infrastructure; and
(4) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, $90
million for maintenance and renovation of an existing 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 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. 55.1799. 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
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) $22,800,000 for renovation of the Nabrit Building;
(2) $2,400,000 for upgrades to signage and wayfinding;
(3) $40 million for facility maintenance and
renovation; and
(4) $30 million for construction of a health and
wellness center.
(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. 55.17991. 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, $33,300,000
for the Williamson County campus site phase II;
(2) Texas State Technical College--Fort Bend,
$41,800,000 for construction of phase II of the campus site;
(3) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen,
$37,800,000 for construction of an industrial technology
performance learning center;
(4) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $15
million for construction of an industrial technology performance
learning center;
(5) Texas State Technical College--North Texas, $13.5
million for construction of phase II of the campus site;
(6) Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $13.5
million for construction of phase II of the campus site located in
Abilene, Texas; and
(7) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $53,600,000
for construction of an industrial technology performance learning
center.
(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 on the 91st day after the
last day of the legislative session.
* * * * *