By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 21
 
 
 
   
 
 
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 55.1781, 55.1782, 55.1783, 55.1784,
  55.1785, 55.1786, 55.1787, 55.1788, 55.1789, 55.17891, and
  55.17892 to read as follows:
         Sec. 55.1781.  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--Commerce: 
                     (A)  $54 million for a nursing and health sciences
  building; and 
                     (B)  $54 million for a library and center for
  educational innovation and faculty development; 
               (2)  Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi: 
                     (A)  $120 million for a life sciences research and
  engineering building; and 
                     (B)  $50 million for an arts and media building;
               (3)  Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $93 million for
  a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classroom
  building;
               (4)  Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $40 million for
  an academic and student service building;
               (5)  West Texas A&M University: 
                     (A)  $43 million for an agricultural sciences
  complex; and 
                     (B)  $10 million for the Amarillo Center Phase II; 
               (6)  The Texas A&M University System Health Science
  Center: 
                     (A)  $80 million for a multidisciplinary research
  and education facility in Bryan, Texas; and 
                     (B)  $80 million for the A&M Baylor College of
  Dentistry facility in Dallas, Texas; 
               (7)  Texas A&M International University: 
                     (A)  $62.1 million for library addition and
  renovation; and 
                     (B)  $66 million for repurpose of kinesiology
  building; 
               (8)  Prairie View A&M University: 
                     (A)  $30,790,000 for a fabrication center and
  capital improvements; and 
                     (B)  $10 million for the Innovation
  Commercialization Center for Entrepreneurs facility;
               (9)  Tarleton State University: 
                     (A)  $55 million for the Southwest Metroplex
  Building; and
                     (B)  $75 million for an applied sciences building; 
               (10)  Texas A&M University: 
                     (A)  $85 million for a biocontainment research
  facility level 3; and 
                     (B)  $90 million for classroom building and
  renewal; 
               (11)  Texas A&M University at Galveston, $92 million
  for expansion of instructional facilities, infrastructure and
  central plant; 
               (12)  Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $40 million
  for multi-purpose building III; and 
               (13)  Texas A&M University--San Antonio: 
                     (A)  $70 million for a science and technology
  academic building; and
                     (B)  $16.5 million for central plant. 
         (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. 55.1782.  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: 
                     (A)  $100 million for Welch Hall renovation; and 
                     (B)  $105 million for McCombs School of Business
  renovation; 
               (2)  The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley: 
                     (A)  $50.6 million for a multipurpose academic
  center; 
                     (B)  $45 million for coastal studies center
  facility; 
                     (C)  $42.5 million for interdisciplinary
  engineering and academic studies building; 
                     (D)  $50.4 million for fine arts and classroom
  building; and
                     (E)  $54.7 million for student success and
  administrative building;
               (3)  The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
  Center, $109.8 million for vivarium and aging research
  infrastructure reinvestment;
               (4)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  San Antonio, $114 million for facilities renewal and modernization; 
               (5)  The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
  Center, $70 million for a personalized cancer care building; 
               (6)  The University of Texas Medical Branch at
  Galveston, $67.8 million for a health education center;
               (7)  The University of Texas at Arlington: 
                     (A)  $190 million for science and engineering
  innovation research building; and 
                     (B)  $99 million for college of nursing and allied
  health professions academic and research building;
               (8)   The University of Texas at Dallas: 
                     (A)  $99 million for an engineering building; and 
                     (B)  $95 million for a science building; 
               (9)  The University of Texas at El Paso: 
                     (A)  $117 million for an interdisciplinary
  research facility; and
                     (B)  $94.5 million for college of business
  administration complex;
               (10)  The University of Texas at San Antonio: 
                     (A)  $95 million for instructional science and
  engineering building; and 
                     (B)  $42.5 million for the Flawn Science Building
  renovation;
               (11)  The University of Texas at Tyler, $76 million for
  a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics building
  expansion and renovation; 
               (12)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Houston: 
                     (A)  $123.9 million for the renovation and
  modernization of educational and research facilities; and
                     (B)  $91 million for academic and research
  building; 
               (13)  The University of Texas Health Science Center at
  Tyler, $15 million for facilities renewal and modernization; and
               (14)  The University of Texas of the Permian Basin: 
                     (A)  $60 million for a School of Engineering
  building; and 
                     (B)  $6,250,600 for a kinesiology and athletic
  training complex;
         (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. 55.1783.  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: 
                     (A)  $165 million for health and biomedical
  sciences center 2; and
                     (B)  $91,350,000 for an academic building in Sugar
  Land, Texas; 
               (2)  the University of Houston--Clear Lake: 
                     (A)  $120 million for a science, technology,
  engineering, and mathematics and classroom building; and
                     (B)  $34.2 million for a health sciences and
  classroom building;
               (3)  the University of Houston--Downtown, $108.7
  million for a science and technology building; and
               (4)  the University of Houston--Victoria, $166 million
  for academic campus expansion and land acquisition.
         (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. 55.1784.  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, $72 million for a science and
  technology building;
               (2)  Lamar State College--Orange, $12.5 million for a
  multipurpose education building; 
               (3)  Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $9.6 million for
  technology building expansion; 
               (4)  Lamar Institute of Technology: 
                     (A)  $12.5 million for repair and renovation of
  the technical arts buildings; and 
                     (B)  $12.1 million for a student services learning
  support center; 
               (5)  Texas State University: 
                     (A)  $67.5 million for a health professions
  building in Round Rock, Texas; and 
                     (B)  $107 million for an engineering and science
  building; 
               (6)  Sam Houston State University, $60 million for a
  biology laboratory building; and 
               (7)  Sul Ross State University: 
                     (A)  $7.8 million for renovation and
  modernization of educational facilities and infrastructure; and
                     (B)  $8,452,000 for the Briscoe Administration
  Building renovation.
         (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. 55.1785.  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 System, $56 million
  for College of Law building renovations;
               (2)  the University of North Texas: 
                     (A)  $82.8 million for a college of visual arts
  and design facility; and 
                     (B)  $88.2 million for a science and technology
  research building;
               (3)  the University of North Texas at Dallas, $70
  million for a student learning and success center; and
               (4)  the University of North Texas Health Science
  Center at Fort Worth, $96.8 million for an interdisciplinary
  research 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. 55.1786.  TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY.  (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 an
  experiential learning and training building, to be financed through
  the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to
  exceed the aggregate principal amount of $37,997,000.
         (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. 55.1787.  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 academic expansion and revitalization at
  Midwestern State University, to be financed through the issuance of
  bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the
  aggregate principal amount of $73 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. 55.1788.  STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY.  (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
  science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research
  building at Stephen F. Austin State University, to be financed
  through the issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter,
  not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $58 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. 55.1789.  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)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center: 
                     (A)  $75,330,000 for Lubbock education, research,
  and technology facilities; 
                     (B)  $17,820,000 for the Permian Basin academic
  facility in Odessa, Texas; and
                     (C)  $6,350,000 for the Amarillo Panhandle
  clinical/hospital simulation center in Amarillo, Texas; 
               (2)  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El
  Paso:
                     (A)  $84,960,000 for the El Paso Medical Science
  Building II; and 
                     (B)  $30,960,000 for the El Paso Clinical Science
  Building; 
               (3)  Texas Tech University: 
                     (A)  $87,930,000 for Experimental Science
  Building II; and 
                     (B)  $60,840,000 for College of Engineering
  expansion and renovation; and 
               (4)  Angelo State University, $24,030,000 for a College
  of Health and Human Services 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. 55.17891.  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 the Robert J. Terry Library at Texas Southern
  University, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in
  accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate
  principal amount of $70,250,000.
         (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. 55.17892.  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
  institutions, not to exceed the following aggregate principal
  amounts for the projects specified, as follows:
               (1)  Texas State Technical College--Harlingen,
  $3,750,000 for engineering center expansion and renovation;
               (2)  Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $13.8
  million for the North Texas technology building; 
               (3)  Texas State Technical College--Waco, $14,950,000
  for Fort Bend Technical Center Building Two; and 
               (4)  Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $12
  million for the Abilene Industrial Technology Center.
         (b)  The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of those
  bonds 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 immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.