Bill Text: TX SB579 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects on the El Paso campus of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-20 - Referred to Finance [SB579 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-SB579-Introduced.html

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83R7168 KEL-D
By: Rodriguez S.B. No. 579

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds to fund
capital projects on the El Paso campus of the Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 55.1789 to read as follows:
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 facilities, including roads and related
infrastructure, for projects on the El Paso campus of the Texas Tech
University Health Sciences Center, 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, not to exceed the following aggregate principal amounts
for the projects specified as follows:
(1) $89.1 million for the El Paso Medical Science
Building II; and
(2) $27 million for the El Paso Clinical Sciences
Building.
(b) The board may pledge irrevocably to the payment of the
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) Any portion of the proceeds of bonds authorized by this
section that is not required for the specific project for which the
bonds are authorized may be used to renovate existing structures
and facilities at the El Paso campus of the Texas Tech University
Health Sciences Center.
SECTION 2. Section 61.0572(e), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(e) Approval of the board is not required to acquire real
property that is financed by bonds issued under Section 55.17(e)(3)
or (4), 55.1713-55.1718, 55.1721-55.1728, 55.1735(a)(1), 55.174,
55.1742, 55.1743, 55.1744, 55.1751-55.17592, 55.1768, 55.1771,
[or] 55.17721, or 55.1789, except that the board shall review all
real property to be financed by bonds issued under those sections to
determine whether the property meets the standards adopted by the
board for cost, efficiency, and space use. If the property does not
meet those standards, the board shall notify the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and the Legislative Budget Board.
SECTION 3. Section 61.058(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) This section does not apply to construction, repair, or
rehabilitation financed by bonds issued under Section 55.17(e)(3)
or (4), 55.1713-55.1718, 55.1721-55.1728, 55.174, 55.1742,
55.1743, 55.1744, 55.1751-55.17592, 55.1768, 55.1771, [or]
55.17721, or 55.1789, except that the board shall review all
construction, repair, or rehabilitation to be financed by bonds
issued under those sections to determine whether the construction,
rehabilitation, or repair meets the standards adopted by board rule
for cost, efficiency, and space use. If the construction,
rehabilitation, or repair does not meet those standards, the board
shall notify the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of
the house of representatives, and the Legislative Budget Board.
SECTION 4. 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, 2013.