87S30814 MM-F
	By: Burns	H.B. No. 159

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects
	at public institutions of higher education and the designation of
	certain appropriated funds allocated to those institutions.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 55.111 to read as follows:
	Sec. 55.111.  CERTAIN ALLOCATED FUNDS TO BE DESIGNATED AS
	CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT DEBT ASSISTANCE. For purposes of this
	subchapter, funds allocated from the appropriation of general
	revenue to an institution of higher education to supplement revenue
	funds of the institution described by Section 55.13(a) may be
	designated as "Capital Improvement Debt Assistance."
	SECTION 2.  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)  The Texas A&M University System, $58 million for
	construction of a STEM education center at the RELLIS campus;
	(2)  Prairie View A&M University, $60 million for
	construction of a teaching and academic student support services
	facility;
	(3)  Tarleton State University:
	(A)  $60 million for construction of a College of
	Health Sciences and Human Services building on the Stephenville
	campus; and
	(B)  $60 million for Fort Worth campus expansion;
	(4)  Texas A&M University, $75 million for construction
	of a clinical veterinary teaching and research complex;
	(5)  Texas A&M University--Commerce, $60 million for
	construction of an agricultural education and research complex;
	(6)  Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $60 million
	for construction of an arts and media building;
	(7)  Texas A&M University at Galveston, $45 million for
	construction of an engineering classroom and research building;
	(8)  Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60 million for
	renovations to address deferred maintenance for campus buildings;
	(9)  Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $50 million
	for construction of a central utility plant and infrastructure
	upgrades;
	(10)  West Texas A&M University, $60 million for
	infrastructure upgrades to address health and safety issues and the
	renovation of an education building;
	(11)  Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $60 million
	for construction of a public health and education building;
	(12)  Texas A&M International University, $60 million
	for construction of a health science education and research center;
	(13)  Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for
	construction of a business, engineering, and technology building;
	and
	(14)  The Texas A&M University System Health Science
	Center:
	(A)  $80 million for construction of the Texas
	Medical Center Building 3 in Houston, Texas; and
	(B)  $40 million for construction of a nursing
	education and research center in McAllen, 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 System, $75 million for
	renovation of the Microelectronics Research Center at the
	J. J. Pickle Research Campus;
	(2)  The University of Texas at Arlington, $70 million
	for renovation of the Life Science building;
	(3)  The University of Texas at Austin, $75 million for
	renovation of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building;
	(4)  The University of Texas at Dallas, $70 million for
	construction of a student success center;
	(5)  The University of Texas at El Paso, $70 million for
	construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex;
	(6)  The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $60
	million for renovation of the Mesa Building and campus
	transformation;
	(7)  The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley, $60
	million for construction of a health affairs building;
	(8)  The University of Texas at San Antonio, $70
	million for construction of an Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and
	Careers building;
	(9)  The University of Texas at Tyler, $60 million for
	construction of a sciences building;
	(10)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
	Houston, $80 million for construction of a public health education
	and research building;
	(11)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
	San Antonio, $80 million for construction of the Glenn Biggs
	Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases Building;
	(12)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
	Tyler, $69,972,826 for construction of a health professions
	education center;
	(13)  The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
	Center, $80 million for construction of a life sciences research,
	innovation, and discovery initiative facility;
	(14)  The University of Texas Medical Branch at
	Galveston, $80 million for infrastructure and research space
	upgrades for research buildings; and
	(15)  UT Southwestern Medical Center, $80 million for
	construction of the north campus Phase VI Brain Institute shell
	space.
	(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:
	(A)  $70 million for construction of the Katy
	Academic Building 2; and
	(B)  $80 million for construction of a medical
	research facility;
	(2)  the University of Houston:
	(A)  $39,513,206 for construction of the Hobby
	School of Public Affairs Building; and
	(B)  $70 million for construction of the Sugar
	Land Academic Building 2;
	(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;
	(4)  the University of Houston--Downtown, $60 million
	for renovation of existing buildings and other campus
	infrastructure upgrades and for the construction of the Police
	Department and Criminal Justice Academy Building; and
	(5)  the University of Houston--Victoria, $60 million
	for construction of a health science building and an engineering
	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 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)  Texas State University System, $15 million for
	construction of a field research station and dam repair;
	(2)  Lamar State College--Orange, $42 million for the
	replacement of an academic building to house general academic
	instruction and information technology services;
	(3)  Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $50 million for
	construction of an allied health and sciences building;
	(4)  Lamar Institute of Technology, $48 million for
	construction of a facility for workforce and allied health
	programs;
	(5)  Lamar University, $60 million for renovation of a
	library;
	(6)  Sul Ross State University, $35,250,000 for
	renovation of fine arts facilities;
	(7)  Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College,
	$44,235,000 for construction of a multipurpose education and
	services building;
	(8)  Sam Houston State University:
	(A)  $60 million for construction of an allied
	health building located in Conroe, Texas; and
	(B)  $60 million for construction of an active
	learning center located in Huntsville, Texas; and
	(9)  Texas State University:
	(A)  $70 million for construction of a STEM
	classroom building located in San Marcos, Texas; and
	(B)  $70 million for construction of a health
	professions building located in Round Rock, 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:
	(A)  $70 million for construction of a science and
	technology research building; and
	(B)  $70 million for construction of a commerce,
	analytics, technology, and engineering building in Frisco, Texas;
	(2)  the University of North Texas at Dallas, $60
	million for construction of a science building; and
	(3)  the University of North Texas Health Science
	Center at Fort Worth, $80 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 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 $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 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  demolition of the Miller Science
	Building, renovation of the Forestry Building, and construction of
	a new addition, 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 a central
	plant maintenance and renovation;
	(2)  Texas Tech University, $70 million for renovations
	to address deferred maintenance for campus buildings;
	(3)  Midwestern State University, $50 million for
	renovations to an existing building and other campus infrastructure
	upgrades;
	(4)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center:
	(A)  $80 million for maintenance and renovation of
	an existing facility; and
	(B)  $25 million for construction and equipment of
	the physician assistant facility in Midland, Texas; and
	(5)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El
	Paso, $80 million 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. 55.1799.  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
	renovations to existing buildings and other campus infrastructure
	upgrades 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. 55.17991.  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, $33.3
	million for the East Williamson County Higher Education Center
	expansion;
	(2)  Texas State Technical College--Fort Bend,
	$41,800,000 for Fort Bend County campus expansion;
	(3)  Texas State Technical College--Harlingen,
	$37,800,000 for Harlingen campus expansion;
	(4)  Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $15
	million for Marshall campus expansion;
	(5)  Texas State Technical College--North Texas, $13.5
	million for North Texas campus expansion;
	(6)  Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $13.5
	million for West Texas campus expansion; and
	(7)  Texas State Technical College--Waco, $50 million
	for Waco 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 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 3.  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 4.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
	last day of the legislative session.