BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.J.R. 75
88R15739 JAM-D	By: Perry
	Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
	3/7/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Water infrastructure needs in Texas total in the billions in order to cover aging and failing pipes and build out new water supply. It is estimated that the state loses 136 billion of gallons of water a year to leaking water main pipes. Additionally, the state will be 7 million acre feet short of supply in the next 50 years.

S.J.R. 75 allows the Texas voters to decide if the state will create the Texas Water Fund to continue investment in water for years to come.

S.J.R. 75 proposes a constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.

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 Article III, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 49-d-16, as follows:

Sec. 49-d-16. (a) Provides that the Texas water fund is created as a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund. Provides that the fund is administered by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) or by TWDB's successor in function as provided by general law.

(b) Authorizes the administrator of the Texas water fund to use the fund only to disburse money to other funds administered by TWDB or TWDB's successor in function. Authorizes the administrator to restore to the fund money disbursed from the fund and deposited to the credit of another fund. Provides that legislative appropriation is not required for the administrator to restore money to the fund.

(c) Provides that the Texas water fund consists of:

(1) money transferred or deposited to the credit of the fund by general law, including money from any source transferred or deposited to the credit of the fund authorized by general law;

(2) any other revenue that the legislature by statute dedicates for deposit to the credit of the fund;

(3) investment earnings and interest earned on amounts credited to the fund;

(4) money from gifts, grants, or donations to the fund; and

(5) the redeposit of money disbursed from the fund.

(d) Requires the legislature by general law to provide for the manner in which money from the Texas water fund is authorized to be used, subject to the limitations provided by this section.

(e) Authorizes the legislature by general law to provide for costs of investment of the Texas water fund to be paid from that fund.

SECTION 2. Requires that the proposed constitutional amendment be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023. Sets forth the required language of the ballot.