81R10777 JTS-F
 
  By: Oliveira H.B. No. 2653
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to authorizing design-build procedures for construction,
  rehabilitation, alteration, or repair of certain utility projects
  located in certain areas.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter J, Chapter 271, Local Government
  Code, is amended by adding Section 271.1821 to read as follows:
         Sec. 271.1821.  APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN PROJECTS IN CERTAIN
  AREAS. (a) This subchapter applies to a municipally owned combined
  electric, water, and wastewater utility located:
               (1)  in an economically distressed area, as defined by
  Section 17.921, Water Code; and
               (2)  within:
                     (A)  30 miles of the Gulf of Mexico; and
                     (B)  50 miles of an international border.
         (b)  For purposes of this section, a utility is a combined
  utility if:
               (1)  the governing body of the municipality appoints
  one board of directors that manages and controls the electric,
  water, and wastewater utilities; and
               (2)  the financing of the capital improvements of the
  utilities described by Subdivision (1) is secured from the revenue
  of all three utilities described by Subdivision (1).
         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, 2009.