BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 827
International Relations & Trade
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Legislators need a comprehensive road map detailing how state funds are spent on colonias projects. Currently, state agencies collect pertinent information concerning their own agency but there does not exist a complete classification system.
As proposed, S.B. 827 requires the preparation and submission of a report card to the legislature showing, via a comprehensive classification system, the state's progress in bringing water/wastewater and paved roads to colonias.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 405, Government Code, by adding Section 405.021, as follows:
Sec. 405.021. REPORT ON STATE-FUNDED PROJECTS SERVING COLONIAS. (a) Defines "colonia."
(b) Requires the secretary of state, based on information provided by Subsection (c), to establish and maintain a classification system that allows the secretary of state to track the progress of state-funded projects that provide water or wastewater services or paved roads to colonias.
(c) Requires the secretary of state to compile information received from the Office of Rural Community Affairs (office), the Texas Water Development Board (board), and the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) for the purposes of the classification system.
(d) Requires the secretary of state to prepare a report on the progress of state-funded projects in providing water and wastewater services or paved roads to colonias and to submit the report to the presiding officer of each house of the legislature not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year.
(e) Requires the report to the legislature to include certain information.
(f) Authorizes the secretary of state to contract with a third party to develop the classification system or compile the relevant information required by this section.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 487, Government Code, by adding Section 487.060, as follows:
Sec. 487.060. REPORT TO SECRETARY OF STATE. Defines "colonia." Requires the office, to assist the secretary of state in preparing the report required under Section 405.021, to, on a quarterly basis, provide a report to the secretary of state detailing any projects funded by the office that serve colonias by providing water or wastewater services or paved roads. Requires the report to include certain information.
SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 6, Water Code, by adding Section 6.112, as follows:
Sec. 6.112. REPORT TO SECRETARY OF STATE. Defines "colonia." Requires the board, to assist the secretary of state in preparing the report required under Section 405.021, on a quarterly basis, to provide a report to the secretary of state detailing any projects funded by the board that serve colonias by providing water or wastewater services or paved roads. Requires the report to include certain information.
SECTION 4. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, by adding Section 201.116, as follows:
Sec. 201.116. REPORT TO SECRETARY OF STATE. Defines "colonia." Requires the commission, to assist the secretary of state in preparing the report required under Section 405.021, on a quarterly basis, to provide a report to the secretary of state detailing any projects funded by the commission that serve colonias by providing water or wastewater services or paved roads. Requires the report to include certain information.
SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2005.