Bill Text: TX HB159 | 2021 | 87th Legislature 3rd Special Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Relating to the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects at public institutions of higher education and the designation of certain appropriated funds allocated to those institutions.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 35-14)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-10-15 - Referred to Appropriations [HB159 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB159-Introduced.html

---

87S30814 MM-F
By: Burns H.B. No. 159

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the issuance of revenue bonds to fund capital projects
at public institutions of higher education and the designation of
certain appropriated funds allocated to those institutions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 55, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 55.111 to read as follows:
Sec. 55.111. CERTAIN ALLOCATED FUNDS TO BE DESIGNATED AS
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT DEBT ASSISTANCE. For purposes of this
subchapter, funds allocated from the appropriation of general
revenue to an institution of higher education to supplement revenue
funds of the institution described by Section 55.13(a) may be
designated as "Capital Improvement Debt Assistance."
SECTION 2. 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, and 55.17991 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) The Texas A&M University System, $58 million for
construction of a STEM education center at the RELLIS campus;
(2) Prairie View A&M University, $60 million for
construction of a teaching and academic student support services
facility;
(3) Tarleton State University:
(A) $60 million for construction of a College of
Health Sciences and Human Services building on the Stephenville
campus; and
(B) $60 million for Fort Worth campus expansion;
(4) Texas A&M University, $75 million for construction
of a clinical veterinary teaching and research complex;
(5) Texas A&M University--Commerce, $60 million for
construction of an agricultural education and research complex;
(6) Texas A&M University--Corpus Christi, $60 million
for construction of an arts and media building;
(7) Texas A&M University at Galveston, $45 million for
construction of an engineering classroom and research building;
(8) Texas A&M University--Kingsville, $60 million for
renovations to address deferred maintenance for campus buildings;
(9) Texas A&M University--Central Texas, $50 million
for construction of a central utility plant and infrastructure
upgrades;
(10) West Texas A&M University, $60 million for
infrastructure upgrades to address health and safety issues and the
renovation of an education building;
(11) Texas A&M University--San Antonio, $60 million
for construction of a public health and education building;
(12) Texas A&M International University, $60 million
for construction of a health science education and research center;
(13) Texas A&M University--Texarkana, $46 million for
construction of a business, engineering, and technology building;
and
(14) The Texas A&M University System Health Science
Center:
(A) $80 million for construction of the Texas
Medical Center Building 3 in Houston, Texas; and
(B) $40 million for construction of a nursing
education and research center in McAllen, 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 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 System, $75 million for
renovation of the Microelectronics Research Center at the
J. J. Pickle Research Campus;
(2) The University of Texas at Arlington, $70 million
for renovation of the Life Science building;
(3) The University of Texas at Austin, $75 million for
renovation of the Physics, Math, and Astronomy building;
(4) The University of Texas at Dallas, $70 million for
construction of a student success center;
(5) The University of Texas at El Paso, $70 million for
construction of an advanced teaching and learning complex;
(6) The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, $60
million for renovation of the Mesa Building and campus
transformation;
(7) The University of Texas--Rio Grande Valley, $60
million for construction of a health affairs building;
(8) The University of Texas at San Antonio, $70
million for construction of an Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and
Careers building;
(9) The University of Texas at Tyler, $60 million for
construction of a sciences building;
(10) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Houston, $80 million for construction of a public health education
and research building;
(11) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
San Antonio, $80 million for construction of the Glenn Biggs
Institute for Alzheimer's & Neurodegenerative Diseases Building;
(12) The University of Texas Health Science Center at
Tyler, $69,972,826 for construction of a health professions
education center;
(13) The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center, $80 million for construction of a life sciences research,
innovation, and discovery initiative facility;
(14) The University of Texas Medical Branch at
Galveston, $80 million for infrastructure and research space
upgrades for research buildings; and
(15) UT Southwestern Medical Center, $80 million for
construction of the north campus Phase VI Brain Institute shell
space.
(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 institutions, not to exceed the
following aggregate principal amounts for the projects specified,
as follows:
(1) the University of Houston System:
(A) $70 million for construction of the Katy
Academic Building 2; and
(B) $80 million for construction of a medical
research facility;
(2) the University of Houston:
(A) $39,513,206 for construction of the Hobby
School of Public Affairs Building; and
(B) $70 million for construction of the Sugar
Land Academic Building 2;
(3) the University of Houston--Clear Lake, $60 million
for renovation of the Bayou Building, the Delta Building, and the
Student Services and Classroom Building;
(4) the University of Houston--Downtown, $60 million
for renovation of existing buildings and other campus
infrastructure upgrades and for the construction of the Police
Department and Criminal Justice Academy Building; and
(5) the University of Houston--Victoria, $60 million
for construction of a health science building and an engineering
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 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) Texas State University System, $15 million for
construction of a field research station and dam repair;
(2) Lamar State College--Orange, $42 million for the
replacement of an academic building to house general academic
instruction and information technology services;
(3) Lamar State College--Port Arthur, $50 million for
construction of an allied health and sciences building;
(4) Lamar Institute of Technology, $48 million for
construction of a facility for workforce and allied health
programs;
(5) Lamar University, $60 million for renovation of a
library;
(6) Sul Ross State University, $35,250,000 for
renovation of fine arts facilities;
(7) Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College,
$44,235,000 for construction of a multipurpose education and
services building;
(8) Sam Houston State University:
(A) $60 million for construction of an allied
health building located in Conroe, Texas; and
(B) $60 million for construction of an active
learning center located in Huntsville, Texas; and
(9) Texas State University:
(A) $70 million for construction of a STEM
classroom building located in San Marcos, Texas; and
(B) $70 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:
(A) $70 million for construction of a science and
technology research building; and
(B) $70 million for construction of a commerce,
analytics, technology, and engineering building in Frisco, Texas;
(2) the University of North Texas at Dallas, $60
million for construction of a science building; and
(3) the University of North Texas Health Science
Center at Fort Worth, $80 million for campus space optimization and
realignment.
(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 $60 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. 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 demolition of the Miller Science
Building, renovation of the Forestry Building, and construction of
a new addition, to be financed through the issuance of bonds in
accordance with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate
principal amount of $53 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. 55.1798. 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, $36 million for a central
plant maintenance and renovation;
(2) Texas Tech University, $70 million for renovations
to address deferred maintenance for campus buildings;
(3) Midwestern State University, $50 million for
renovations to an existing building and other campus infrastructure
upgrades;
(4) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center:
(A) $80 million for maintenance and renovation of
an existing facility; and
(B) $25 million for construction and equipment of
the physician assistant facility in Midland, Texas; and
(5) Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center at El
Paso, $80 million 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. 55.1799. 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
renovations to existing buildings and other campus infrastructure
upgrades to be financed through the issuance of bonds in accordance
with this subchapter, not to exceed the aggregate principal amount
of $60 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. 55.17991. 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, $33.3
million for the East Williamson County Higher Education Center
expansion;
(2) Texas State Technical College--Fort Bend,
$41,800,000 for Fort Bend County campus expansion;
(3) Texas State Technical College--Harlingen,
$37,800,000 for Harlingen campus expansion;
(4) Texas State Technical College--Marshall, $15
million for Marshall campus expansion;
(5) Texas State Technical College--North Texas, $13.5
million for North Texas campus expansion;
(6) Texas State Technical College--West Texas, $13.5
million for West Texas campus expansion; and
(7) Texas State Technical College--Waco, $50 million
for Waco 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 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 3. 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 4. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
last day of the legislative session.