AUSTIN- Friday, the Texas House of Representatives gave final approval to House Bill 100, which includes provisions introduced by State Rep. Brooks Landgraf that will assist Texas Tech University Health Science Center-Permian Basin (TTUHSC), and the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) in financing the construction of new buildings on both campuses.

 

"I'm thrilled to support UTPB and the Texas Tech medical school in working to pass a bill to secure funding for much needed construction process," Landgraf said. "As a result of this legislation, UTPB and TTUHSC will be able to construct important new facilities that will help continue their mission of providing top-tier education opportunities to our West Texas students."

 

House Bill 100 authorizes $48 million in campus construction funds to UTPB to construct both an engineering building and a kinesiology building, and also authorizes more than $14 million to TTUHSC to construct a medical education building in downtown Odessa. The amounts authorized for the projects originated in two bills filed earlier this year by Landgraf.

"I began fighting for these projects at our West Texas higher education institutions before I even took office," Landgraf said. "I was proud to work with administrators from both schools, and Sen. Kel Seliger to ensure these projects can move forward and enable higher education in Odessa to remain competitive."

 

The bill will now be sent to Governor Greg Abbott's desk for final approval. Project construction could begin as early as September 1, 2015.

 

State Representative Brooks Landgraf was elected in 2014 to serve House District 81, which includes Andrews, Ector, Ward, and Winkler Counties. Landgraf resides in Odessa with his wife Shelby and works as an attorney and rancher. He also serves on the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance Board of Directors, the Education Foundation Board of Directors, and the John Ben Shepperd Public Leadership Institute Advisory Council.