Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 312 amends the Water Code to continue the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) until September 1, 2013. It requires the TWDB to develop a biennial capital spending plan that identifies state water funding needs and establishes a basis for allocating state-supported funding to meet them. The bill expands use of the state water pollution control revolving fund to include nonpoint source pollution control and abatement projects. It expands use of the agricultural soil and water conservation fund and agricultural water conservation fund to include assistance to additional types of political subdivisions and, in the case of the later fund, to state agency grants. The bill establishes a pilot program for water and wastewater loans for rural communities and authorizes a rural municipality or county recipient, if voters approve, to pledge a percentage of local sales and use tax revenue to loan repayment. Tax Code changes create new sales and use tax exemptions and local-option property tax exemptions relating to water conservation.

            Other Water Code provisions add federal agencies, Texas state agencies, and state agencies in neighboring states to those who may request a hydrographic survey. The bill authorizes public-private partnerships to enhance access to the Texas Natural Resources Information System. It requires the Texas Geographic Information Council to prepare a biennial plan that inventories Texas state agency geographic information systems projects. The TWDB and State Soil and Water Conservation Board are mandated to conduct a joint study of ways to improve or expand water conservation efforts and forward a report to the legislature as part of, or as a supplement to, the state water plan.

            The TWDB must meet annually with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to assess mutual progress in meeting the needs of colonia residents. The bill establishes a colonia self-help program to reimburse eligible nonprofit organizations for expenses incurred in a self-help project to provide colonia water or wastewater services. Amendments to the Government Code create a Colonia Initiatives Advisory Committee.