BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1726
By: Gallegos
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, Harris County and adjacent counties have economically distressed areas that are severely lacking in adequate water and sewer services. Most of these residential users are dependant on water wells which are contaminated. Septic systems are leeching into the water table, adding to further contamination of drinking water.
As proposed, S.B. 1726 provides for these areas to be eligible for financial assistance under Chapters 15, 16, and 17, Water Code.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 15, Water Code, by adding Section 15.009, as follows:
Sec. 15.009. ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS. Provides that, notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter (Texas Water Assistance Program), Chapter 16 (Provisions Generally Applicable to Water Development), or Chapter 17 (Public Funding), a county with a population of three million or more or a county with a population of 350,000 or more that is adjacent to a county with a population of three million or more, is eligible for any financial assistance available under this chapter, Chapter 16, or Chapter 17, for providing water and sewer services, connections to water and sewer services, and any other assistance related to water and sewer services in economically distressed areas of the county.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.