By:  Bailey, Howard, Olivo                                        H.B. No. 467



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the financing of water and sewer programs and the 
provision of sewer connections in disadvantaged areas in certain 
counties.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 15, Water Code, is amended 
by adding Section 15.009 to read as follows:
	Sec. 15.009.  ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR 
ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS.  Notwithstanding other provisions 
of this chapter, Chapter 16, or Chapter 17, 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.  Sections 16.343(f) and (g), Water Code, are 
amended to read as follows:
	(f)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the only 
kind of county that may adopt the model rules is:
		(1)  an affected county; or                                     
		(2)  a county described by Section 15.009.                             
	(g)  Before an application for funds under Section 15.407 or 
Subchapter P, Chapter 15, or Subchapter K, Chapter 17, may be 
considered by the board, a political subdivision must adopt the 
model rules pursuant to this section.  A county described by Section 
15.009 may limit the applicability of the model rules to the portion 
of the county for which the application is made.  If the applicant 
is a district, nonprofit water supply corporation, or colonia, the 
applicant must be located in a city or county that has adopted such 
rules.  Applicants for funds under Section 15.407 or Subchapter P, 
Chapter 15, or Subchapter K, Chapter 17, may not receive funds under 
those provisions unless the applicable political subdivision 
adopts and enforces the model rules.
	SECTION 3.  Subchapter K, Chapter 17, Water Code, is amended 
by adding Section 17.9345 to read as follows:
	Sec. 17.9345.  SEWER CONNECTIONS IN MUNICIPALITIES IN 
ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS.  (a)  On request of an owner or 
occupant of land located in a municipality on which a new 
residential structure is being constructed and that is adjacent to 
a street, the municipality shall provide sewer service connections 
on both sides of the street.
	(b)  The cost of providing sewer service connections under 
Subsection (a) shall be borne by the municipality.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.