By: Guillen, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Lucio) H.B. No. 2374
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 8, 2009;
  April 27, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on
  International Relations and Trade; May 8, 2009, reported
  adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following
  vote:  Yeas 4, Nays 0; May 8, 2009, sent to printer.)
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 2374 By:  Lucio
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to financial assistance by the Texas Water Development
  Board for the connection of residences in economically distressed
  areas to public water supply and sanitary sewer systems.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter K, Chapter 17, Water Code, is amended
  by adding Section 17.9225 to read as follows:
         Sec. 17.9225.  RESIDENTIAL WATER AND SEWER CONNECTION
  ASSISTANCE. (a)  The legislature finds that, due to public health
  and sanitation concerns, it is in the public interest to use funds
  in the economically distressed areas account to provide financial
  assistance for the costs associated with the initial connection to
  public water supply and sanitary sewer systems of residences that
  otherwise benefit from financial assistance.
         (b)  A political subdivision may use financial assistance to
  pay:
               (1)  the costs of connecting a residence to a public
  water supply system constructed with financial assistance;
               (2)  the costs of installing yard water service
  connections;
               (3)  the costs of installing indoor plumbing facilities
  and fixtures;
               (4)  the costs of connecting a residence to a sanitary
  sewer system constructed with financial assistance;
               (5)  necessary connection and permit fees; and
               (6)  necessary costs related to the design of plumbing
  improvements described by this subsection.
         (c)  Assistance under this section shall only be provided to
  residents who demonstrate an inability to pay for the improvements
  described in Subsection (b) in accordance with board rules.  The
  board shall adopt rules to implement the provisions of this
  section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
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