Bill Text: TX HB2000 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Engrossed

---

Bill Title: Relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects at certain public institutions of higher education.

Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 47-28)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2019-04-24 - Referred to Higher Education [HB2000 Detail]

Download: Texas-2019-HB2000-Engrossed.html

---

86R23300 SOS-D
By: Turner of Tarrant, Zerwas, Price, H.B. No. 2000
Thompson of Harris, Walle, et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund
capital projects at certain 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, 55.17991, 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:
(A) $65 million for construction of an
instructional laboratory and innovative learning facility; and
(B) $30 million for construction of a research
facility and nursing instruction center at the Higher Education
Center in McAllen, Texas;
(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, $40 million for
construction of an immersive scholarship and learning environment
building, a central plant, and campus infrastructure;
(8) Texas A&M International University, $60 million
for construction of a student classroom and events center;
(9) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60 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:
(A) $28.5 million for capital improvements to
address life and fire safety issues; and
(B) $20 million for renovation of the education
building; 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:
(A) $76 million for construction of a social work
and college of nursing academic building; and
(B) $59 million for rehabilitation and
renovation of the life sciences building;
(2) The University of Texas at Austin, $135 million
for restoration of the J. T. Patterson Labs building;
(3) The University of Texas at Dallas:
(A) $60 million for a joint project with The
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas for
construction of a translational biomedical engineering and science
building on The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at
Dallas campus; and
(B) $75 million for construction of a student
success center on The University of Texas at Dallas campus;
(4) The University of Texas at El Paso, $113 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,
$126,250,000 for construction of a college of business building at
the downtown campus;
(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, $120 million for construction of an education and
clinical multiuse building; and
(14) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center at Dallas:
(A) $60 million for a joint project with The
University of Texas at Dallas for construction of a translational
biomedical engineering and science building on The University of
Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas campus; and
(B) $60 million for construction of the Peter
O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute 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 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, $50 million for
construction of an academic, administration, and student services
building on the Katy, Texas, campus;
(2) the University of Houston:
(A) $50 million for construction of a law center
building; and
(B) $35 million for construction of the Hobby
School for Public Affairs 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:
(A) $85 million for construction of an arts,
sciences, engineering, entrepreneurship, collaboration retention,
and academic engagement facility; and
(B) $15 million for repurposing the Student Life
Center as a student union building; and
(5) the University of Houston--Victoria, $60 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:
(A) $20 million for construction of an allied
health building; and
(B) $1,012,500 for construction of a workforce
training center;
(4) Lamar Institute of Technology:
(A) $20 million for construction of a workforce
training center; and
(B) $1,100,000 for construction of a
professional truck driving academy building;
(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:
(A) $90 million for construction of a STEM
classroom building located in San Marcos, Texas; and
(B) $45 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, $126 million for
construction of a science and technology research building;
(2) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $80
million for construction of a STEM building; and
(3) the University of North Texas Health Science
Center at Fort Worth, $115.5 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, $118,080,000 for
construction of a science and engineering complex;
(3) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center:
(A) $34,650,000 for expansion of the academic and
clinic building located in Amarillo, Texas; and
(B) $55 million for expansion of the Texas Tech
University Health Sciences building in Midland, 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. 55.17991. 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 deferred maintenance for campus facilities, to
be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this
subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $50
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. 55.17992. 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.