79R3093 RMB-F

By:  Bailey                                                       H.B. No. 467



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the financing of water and sewer programs 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.   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.