BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 469
88R4166 KBB-F	By: Springer
	Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	4/14/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Concerned parties note that the existing state statute needs to provide the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) with a consistent definition of a rural political subdivision. The current state statute needs more transparency and precision on how TWDB can fund and report on rural water projects. For example, existing law allows TWDB to use funds reserved for rural entities under legislative intent for urban water projects (see TX Water Code � 15.992).

S.B. 469 provides a single and consistent definition of a "rural political subdivision," thereby helping TWDB collect and analyze information about its financial assistance applicants more accurately, which the agency reports to the legislature.

As proposed, S.B. 469 amends current law relating to the eligibility of certain political subdivisions to receive certain financial assistance administered by the Texas Water Development Board.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 15.001, Water Code, by adding Subdivision (14) to define "rural political subdivision."

SECTION 2. Amends Section 17.001, Water Code, by adding Subdivision (26) to define "rural political subdivision."

SECTION 3. Amends Section 17.9615(a), Water Code, as follows:

(a) Authorizes Texas Water Development Board to direct the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas to transfer amounts from the financial assistance account to the rural water assistance fund to provide financial assistance to rural political subdivisions under Subchapter L (Water Financial Assistance Bond Program) for the purposes provided in Section 15.994 (Use of Fund).

SECTION 4. Repealer: Section 15.992(4) (relating to the definition of "rural political subdivision"), Water Code.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2023.