By:  Shapiro                                                      S.B. No. 961


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a clearinghouse of energy and water conservation 
information and programs for school districts.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 44, Education Code, is 
amended by adding Section 44.902 to read as follows:
	Sec. 44.902.  ENERGY AND WATER CONSERVATION CLEARINGHOUSE.  
(a)  The agency shall establish a clearinghouse of information 
relating to energy and water conservation measures and programs 
that are appropriate for school districts.
	(b)  The agency shall:                                                  
		(1)  solicit information from the state energy 
conservation office regarding energy and water conservation 
measures and programs appropriate for school districts;
		(2)  allow a private entity to submit examples of 
energy and water conservation measures and programs that have 
resulted in cost savings and energy efficiency for the entity and 
that are likely to result in similar benefits for school districts; 
and
		(3)  periodically update information described by this 
section as the agency determines necessary to provide timely 
information regarding energy and water conservation.
	(c)  The agency may include in the clearinghouse any 
information that the agency determines to be relevant to energy and 
water conservation for school districts.
	(d)  The agency shall make the information described by this 
section available on its Internet website in a manner that permits 
school districts and interested members of the public to easily 
obtain the information.
	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.