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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to establishing a no-interest loan program to promote the |
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use of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technology |
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in certain residential dwellings and commercial buildings. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 447, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 447.014 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 447.014. LOAN PROGRAM TO PROMOTE USE OF ENERGY |
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EFFICIENCY MEASURES AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY. (a) In this |
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section: |
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(1) "Energy efficiency" means a measure that is aimed |
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at reducing the rate at which energy is used by equipment or |
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processes and may be achieved by: |
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(A) substituting more advanced equipment to |
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produce the same or higher level of end-use services with less |
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energy; |
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(B) adopting technology and processes that |
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reduce heat or other energy losses; |
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(C) installing materials, including |
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weatherization materials, or equipment that reduces or facilitates |
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a reduction in heat or other energy loss; or |
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(D) reorganizing processes to make use of waste |
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heat. |
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(2) "Program" means the loan program to promote energy |
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efficiency measures and renewable energy technology established by |
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the section. |
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(3) "Renewable energy technology" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 39.904(d), Utilities Code. |
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(4) "Small business" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 481.191. |
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(b) The State Energy Conservation Office shall establish |
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and administer, from money expressly appropriated for the purpose, |
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or obtained under subsection (f), a program to make no-interest |
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loans to individuals and small businesses to promote the use of |
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energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technology in the: |
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(1) residential dwellings owned by the individuals; |
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and |
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(2) commercial buildings owned or operated by the |
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small businesses. |
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(c) A loan made under the program: |
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(1) may not exceed a term of 20 years; |
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(2) may be secured by a lien on the real property; and |
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(3) may be made with respect to a new or existing |
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structure. |
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(d) To be eligible to receive a loan under the program, a |
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person must: |
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(1) apply to the State Energy Conservation Office on a |
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form prescribed by the office; and |
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(2) meet any additional eligibility requirements |
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established by rule by the office. |
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(e) The State Energy Conservation Office shall adopt rules |
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as necessary to implement this section, including rules regarding: |
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(1) the types of renewable energy technologies or |
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energy efficiency measures that are eligible for loan funding under |
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the program; |
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(2) the maximum amount of any loan made under the |
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program; and |
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(3) the manner in which loans are to be repaid to the |
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office. |
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(f) The State Energy Conservation Office shall retain and |
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use any loan payments received under the program to administer the |
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program. |
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SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2009, the State Energy |
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Conservation Office shall establish the loan program to promote |
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energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technology under |
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Section 447.014, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |