Bill Text: TX SB245 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-01-28 - Referred to Higher Education [SB245 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-SB245-Introduced.html

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84R2624 JRJ-D
By: Watson S.B. No. 245

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, $60,000,000 for
construction of a nursing and health sciences building;
(2) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi,
$120,000,000 for construction of a life sciences research and
engineering building;
(3) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $77,111,899 for
construction of a music building;
(4) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $40,000,000 for
construction of an academic and student health sciences building;
(5) West Texas A&M University:
(A) $20,000,000 for renovation of the Amarillo
Center; and
(B) $53,000,000 for construction of an
agricultural sciences complex;
(6) The Texas A&M University System Health Science
Center:
(A) $100,000,000 for construction of a
multidisciplinary research and education facility in Bryan, Texas;
and
(B) $119,371,824 for construction of a dental
clinic facility at the Baylor College of Dentistry;
(7) Texas A&M International University, $60,625,000
for construction of an academic and laboratory learning center;
(8) Prairie View A&M University, $15,000,000 for
construction of a fabrication center;
(9) Tarleton State University:
(A) $85,600,000 for construction of an applied
sciences building; and
(B) $99,600,000 for construction of a southwest
metroplex building for the campus in Midlothian;
(10) Texas A&M University, $95,000,000 for
construction of a biocontainment research facility;
(11) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $134,000,000
for construction of an academic building;
(12) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $40,000,000
for construction of a multipurpose building;
(13) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $70,000,000
for construction of a science and technology building; and
(14) the Texas Engineering Experiment Station,
$65,000,000 for construction of a center for infrastructure
renewal.
(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.
(d) The expanded capacity at system institutions
attributable to the authorization provided for projects under
Subsection (a) supports the provision of dual credit or career and
technology education programs in furtherance of the goals of
Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular
Session, 2013.
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, $125,000,000
for renovation of Robert A. Welch Hall;
(2) The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley:
(A) $50,600,000 for construction of a
multipurpose academic center at the campus in Brownsville; and
(B) $50,000,000 for construction of an
interdisciplinary engineering and academic studies building at the
campus in Edinburg;
(3) The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center at Dallas, $102,000,000 for the construction and renovation
of a vivarium;
(4) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
San Antonio, $93,800,000 for the renovation of a medical and dental
education building;
(5) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center, $361,000,000 for construction of the Sheikh Zayed Bin
Sultan Al Nahyan Building for Personalized Cancer Care;
(6) The University of Texas Medical Branch at
Galveston, $90,400,000 for construction of a health education
center;
(7) The University of Texas at Arlington, $244,000,000
for construction of a science and engineering innovation and
research building;
(8) The University of Texas at Dallas, $110,000,000
for construction of an engineering building;
(9) The University of Texas at El Paso, $117,000,000
for construction of an interdisciplinary research facility;
(10) The University of Texas at San Antonio,
$115,000,000 for construction of an instructional science and
engineering building;
(11) The University of Texas at Tyler, $76,000,000 for
construction of a STEM building;
(12) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston, $117,000,000 for the renovation and modernization of a
medical school building;
(13) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Tyler, $18,500,000 for the renovation of a facility for physician
residents training; and
(14) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin,
$60,000,000 for construction of an engineering 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 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.
(d) The expanded capacity at system institutions
attributable to the authorization provided for projects under
Subsection (a) supports the provision of dual credit or career and
technology education programs in furtherance of the goals of
Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular
Session, 2013.
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 or entities, not to exceed
the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects
specified, as follows:
(1) the University of Houston:
(A) $165,000,000 for construction of a health and
biomedical sciences center; and
(B) $91,350,000 for construction of a new
academic building located in Sugar Land, Texas;
(2) the University of Houston--Clear Lake:
(A) $34,200,000 for construction of a health
sciences and classroom building located in Pearland, Texas; and
(B) $101,875,000 for construction of a STEM and
classroom building;
(3) the University of Houston--Downtown, $104,700,000
for construction of a science and technology building;
(4) the University of Houston--Victoria, $85,420,000
for construction of a science, technology, and classroom building;
and
(5) the University of Houston System, $36,540,000 for
construction of a Cinco Ranch academic building located in the area
near Katy, 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 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.
(d) The expanded capacity at system institutions
attributable to the authorization provided for projects under
Subsection (a) supports the provision of dual credit or career and
technology education programs in furtherance of the goals of
Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular
Session, 2013.
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, $81,000,000 for construction of
a science and technology building;
(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $12,500,000 for
construction of a multipurpose education building;
(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $10,100,000 for
expansion of technology program facilities;
(4) Lamar Institute of Technology, $16,500,000 for
renovation of the technical arts buildings;
(5) Texas State University:
(A) $107,000,000 for construction of an
engineering and sciences building; and
(B) $67,500,000 for construction of a medical
education and research building in Round Rock, Texas;
(6) Sam Houston State University, $60,000,000 for
construction of a biology laboratory building; and
(7) Sul Ross State University, $7,800,000 for
renovation and modernization of educational and related facilities
and infrastructure.
(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.
(d) The expanded capacity at system institutions
attributable to the authorization provided for projects under
Subsection (a) supports the provision of dual credit or career and
technology education programs in furtherance of the goals of
Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular
Session, 2013.
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 or entities, not to exceed
the following aggregate principal amounts for the projects
specified, as follows:
(1) the University of North Texas System, $101,000,000
for renovation of college of law buildings;
(2) the University of North Texas, $92,000,000 for
construction and renovation of college of visual arts and design
facilities;
(3) the University of North Texas at Dallas,
$70,000,000 for construction of a student learning and success
center; and
(4) the University of North Texas Health Science
Center at Fort Worth, $121,000,000 for construction of 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.
(d) The expanded capacity at system institutions
attributable to the authorization provided for projects under
Subsection (a) supports the provision of dual credit or career and
technology education programs in furtherance of the goals of
Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular
Session, 2013.
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 a
science and technology learning center, to be financed through the
issuance of bonds in accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed
the aggregate principal amount of $51,347,200.
(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.
(c) The expanded capacity at the university attributable to
the authorization provided under Subsection (a) supports the
provision of dual credit or career and technology education
programs in furtherance of the goals of Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts
of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013.
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 the Gunn College of Health Sciences and Human
Services, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in
accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate
principal amount of $61,000,000.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
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.
(c) The expanded capacity at the university attributable to
the authorization provided under Subsection (a) supports the
provision of dual credit or career and technology education
programs in furtherance of the goals of Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts
of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013.
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 $58,000,000.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of bonds
authorized by this section all or any part of the revenue funds of
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.
(c) The expanded capacity at the university attributable to
the authorization provided under Subsection (a) supports the
provision of dual credit or career and technology education
programs in furtherance of the goals of Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts
of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013.
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) $83,700,000 for renovation and expansion of
Lubbock education, research, and technology facilities;
(B) $19,800,000 for construction of the Permian
Basin academic facility; and
(C) $9,750,000 for construction of the Amarillo
Panhandle Clinical/Hospital Simulation;
(2) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El
Paso, $94,400,000 for construction of the El Paso Medical Science
Building II;
(3) Texas Tech University, $97,700,000 for
construction of an experimental sciences building; and
(4) Angelo State University, $26,700,000 for
construction of 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.
(d) The expanded capacity at system institutions
attributable to the authorization provided for projects under
Subsection (a) supports the provision of dual credit or career and
technology education programs in furtherance of the goals of
Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular
Session, 2013.
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 $70,247,859.
(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.
(c) The expanded capacity at the university attributable to
the authorization provided under Subsection (a) supports the
provision of dual credit or career and technology education
programs in furtherance of the goals of Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts
of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013.
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--West Texas,
$12,000,000 for construction of an industrial technology center in
Abilene, Texas;
(2) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen,
$3,750,000 for Phase II of the Engineering Technology Center
renovation;
(3) Texas State Technical College--Marshall,
$31,350,440 for construction of a North Texas extension center; and
(4) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $14,950,000
for construction of the Fort Bend 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.
(d) The expanded capacity at system institutions
attributable to the authorization provided for projects under
Subsection (a) supports the provision of dual credit or career and
technology education programs in furtherance of the goals of
Chapter 211 (H.B. 5), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular
Session, 2013.
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, 2015.