By Bailey                                             H.B. No. 3470
         77R8978 MI-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the financing of water and sewer programs in
 1-3     disadvantaged areas in certain counties.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 15, Water Code, is amended
 1-6     by adding Section 15.009 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 15.009.  ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR
 1-8     ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS. Notwithstanding other provisions of
 1-9     this chapter, Chapter 16, or Chapter 17, a county with a population
1-10     of three million or more or a county with a population of 350,000
1-11     or more that is adjacent to a county with a population of three
1-12     million or more is eligible for any financial assistance available
1-13     under this chapter, Chapter 16, or Chapter 17 for providing water
1-14     and sewer services, connections to water and sewer services, and
1-15     any other assistance related to water and sewer services in
1-16     economically distressed areas of the county.
1-17           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-18     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-19     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-20     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-21     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.