The Texas Legislature closed out the third special session of the year by allocating $339,485,554 in much-needed new funding for capital construction projects across the 91视频 System and its four universities: 91视频 (UH), 91视频-Clear Lake (UHCL), 91视频-Downtown (UHD) and 91视频-Victoria (UHV). The funds, designated as 鈥淐apital Construction Assistance Projects,鈥� will be used for construction and renovation of facilities. UH also received an additional $50 million for institutional enhancements.
Capital Construction Assistance Projects
The 91视频 System received nearly $60 million to support construction of a new medical research facility to enable and promote entrepreneurship, including a close partnership between basic scientists, engineers, technologists, data experts, business disruptors and health care professionals.
91视频 was allocated $52.4 million for construction of a second academic building at UH at Sugar Land and $40 million for construction of the Hobby School of Public Affairs building. An additional $52.4 million was allocated for construction of the IDEA Lab to house innovation and entrepreneurial-related programs to build upon the 91视频鈥檚 reputation as one of the top entrepreneurial universities.
UHCL, UHD and UHV will receive nearly $45 million each to fund new construction, renovate existing buildings and improve infrastructure at each respective university.
鈥淲e are grateful to Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, Speaker Phelan and Legislature for recognizing the need for colleges and universities across the state to keep pace with growing enrollment and aging infrastructure,鈥� said Jason Smith, UH System vice chancellor for governmental and community relations. 鈥淭his will help all of the UH System universities and instructional sites to improve their respective facilities so that we may continue to expand educational opportunities and launch new programs that meet the changing workforce demands of our regional and state economies.鈥�
Late last week, Governor Greg Abbott added 鈥渓egislation to improve higher education鈥� to the session agenda, allowing lawmakers to consider and pass legislation. The state鈥檚 total allocation to campus construction projects statewide is more than $3.3 billion. The money is part of $16 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funding.
Formerly called 鈥渢uition revenue bonds鈥� or TRBs, the Legislature voted to change the designation of the funds to 鈥淐apital Construction Assistance Projects鈥� in the bill passed late Monday (Oct. 18), one day before the session ended. TRB funds have caused confusion in the past, as they are not derived from student tuition. They are paid from the state鈥檚 general revenue fund. It had been six years since the state last issued bonds for higher education capital improvements. Prior to 2015 it had been nine years (2006) since similar bonds were approved.
Institutional Enhancement Funds
The Legislature also appropriated $50 million in institutional enhancement funds this biennium to the 91视频 to support the University鈥檚 strategic plan, which includes targeted efforts to strengthen research and student success.