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.