HBA-BSM H.B. 2379 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2379 By: Junell Natural Resources 3/16/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Development Corporation Act of 1979 (Act) authorizes cities and counties, through an industrial development corporation (IDC), to develop certain projects. These projects include the promotion of development, expansion of affordable housing, and promotion or development of new or expanded business enterprises. However, the Act does not expressly authorize an IDC to develop water projects. House Bill 2379 authorizes certain IDCs to undertake water projects by modifying the definition of project to include developing or improving a city's water supply and developing and instituting water conservation programs. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2379 amends the Development Corporation Act of 1979 to modify the definition of "project" as it pertains to certain industrial development corporations (IDC). The bill authorizes certain IDCs to undertake projects found by the board of directors of the IDC to be required or suitable for the development or improvement of water supply facilities, including dams, transmission lines, well field developments, and other water supply alternatives; or be required or suitable for the development and institution of water conservation programs, including incentives to install water-saving plumbing fixtures, educational programs, brush control programs, and programs to replace malfunctioning or leaking water lines and other water facilities. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.