HBA-SEP H.B. 2401 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2401 By: Lewis, Ron Natural Resources 7/18/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 77th Legislature, local governments were authorized to establish programs under the Texas Community Development Act of 1975 that promote energy conservation but were not expressly authorized to establish water conservation programs. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and neighborhood enterprise associations were also expressly authorized to promote energy conservation, but not water conservation. House Bill 2401 authorizes these entities to promote water conservation through certain state and local 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 2401 amends the Local Government, Education, and Governments codes relating to programs and funding methods that promote water conservation among certain state and local entities. The bill authorizes a municipality, through a program established pursuant to the Texas Community Development Act of 1975 to establish programs that include the promotion of water use efficiency and grants to water conservation projects (Sec. 373.005, Local Government Code). The bill requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to allocate incentive funding, as a percentage of base funding, among institutions of higher education for the purpose of rewarding institutions achieving the goals set by the board in relation to water conservation, rainwater harvesting, and water reuse (Sec. 61.0591, Education Code). The bill authorizes a neighborhood enterprise association with the approval of and in coordination with the responsible state or local governmental entity to provide water conservation projects (Sec. 2303.304, Government Code). EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.