AUSTIN - University leaders across Texas remained hopeful Wednesday that state lawmakers would allow more than $1 billion in building projects in a possible special legislative session.

Before their regular session ended Monday, lawmakers failed to agree upon a plan that would have granted public universities the authority to fund the projects through tuition revenue bonds, or TRBs.

James Huffines, chairman of the University of Texas System's Board of Regents, expressed disappointment about the inability to use the bonds, which the universities repay through tuition and other means, sometimes with state money. The legislature typically approves a bond bill for higher education every four years, so university officials would rather not wait until the 2007 session for the money.

"If a (special) session is called, we would certainly make a case that the TRBs be considered," Huffines said. "We are hopeful and optimistic."

Mark Yudof, chancellor of the UT System, said without the funding, the state's colleges and universities would have trouble meeting the demands of a surging enrollment.

Overall, the state's colleges and universities provided lawmakers with a wish list of building projects valued at more than $3 billion. The UT System's request included a $57 million laboratory at its Galveston medical branch and a $45 million replacement building for the dental branch of its health science center in Houston.

The Texas A&M University System, meanwhile, sought $45 million to build a campus in San Antonio, among other projects. The University of Houston System wanted more than $340 million, including $60 million to renovate science buildings on its main campus and $30 million for additional classrooms at its downtown campus.

"I think everyone in the University of Houston System appreciates the budgetary pressures lawmakers are under," said Grover Campbell, the UH System's vice chancellor for governmental relations. "This is one option for meeting the unmet need with growing enrollments. We are hopeful some solution can be identified."

The plan died Monday after lawmakers were unable to reach a compromise on which projects should be funded.

Although House Speaker Tom Craddick has indicated he would like to address a bond bill, it's unlikely the issue would be the only reason for a special session.