87R2351 MM-D
 
  By: Turner of Tarrant H.B. No. 449
 
 
 
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, 2021.