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.