82R11584 TRH-F
 
  By: Ritter H.J.R. No. 137
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing constitutional amendments relating to the funding of
  certain water projects.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1.  FEES
         SECTION 1.01.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended
  by adding Section 49-d-11 to read as follows:
         Sec. 49-d-11.  (a)  If the legislature requires the Texas
  Water Development Board to adopt a state water plan, the
  legislature by general law shall provide for the imposition by the
  state of one or more fees, the proceeds of which must be deposited
  to the credit of a special fund in the state treasury to be known as
  the state water implementation fund for Texas.
         (b)  Money deposited to the credit of the state water
  implementation fund for Texas and interest earned on the investment
  of money in that fund may be appropriated only to the Texas Water
  Development Board and used only to fund projects included in the
  state water plan.
         SECTION 1.02.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall
  be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8,
  2011. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against
  the proposition: "The constitutional amendment requiring the
  legislature to provide for the imposition of one or more fees to
  fund projects included in the state water plan."
  ARTICLE 2.  BONDING AUTHORITY
         SECTION 2.01.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended
  by adding Section 49-d-12 to read as follows:
         Sec. 49-d-12.  (a)  In addition to the bonds authorized by
  the other provisions of this article, the Texas Water Development
  Board may issue general obligation bonds, at its determination and
  on a continuing basis, for one or more accounts of the Texas Water
  Development Fund II in amounts such that the aggregate principal
  amount of the bonds issued by the board under this section that are
  outstanding at any time does not exceed $6 billion.
         (b)  Section 49-d-8 of this article applies to the bonds
  authorized by this section. The limitation in Section 49-d-8 of
  this article that the Texas Water Development Board may not issue
  bonds in excess of the aggregate principal amount of previously
  authorized bonds does not apply to the bonds authorized by and
  issued under this section.
         (c)  A limitation on the percentage of state participation in
  any single project imposed by this article does not apply to a
  project funded with the proceeds of bonds issued under the
  authority of this section or Section 49-d-8 of this article.
         SECTION 2.02.   The following temporary provision is added
  to the Texas Constitution:
         TEMPORARY PROVISION.  (a)  This temporary provision applies
  to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 82nd Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2011, authorizing the issuance of additional
  general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board in an
  amount not to exceed $6 billion.
         (b)  That constitutional amendment takes effect only if the
  constitutional amendment proposed by the 82nd Legislature, Regular
  Session, 2011, requiring the legislature to provide for the
  imposition of one or more fees to fund projects included in the
  state water plan takes effect.
         (c)  This temporary provision expires January 1, 2013.
         SECTION 2.03.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall
  be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8,
  2011. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against
  the proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the
  issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water
  Development Board in an amount not to exceed $6 billion."