BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1337

By: Perry

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the Texas Water Development Board is authorized to provide financial assistance to political subdivisions under certain statutory provisions for certain water supply projects. The parties note, however, that for various reasons a number of these provisions do not actually provide financial assistance for water supply projects. S.B. 1337 seeks to clean up the applicable statute.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1337 amends the Water Code to remove the authorization of the Texas Water Development Board to provide financial assistance to political subdivisions for certain water supply projects that are consistent with the state water plan and applicable regional water plan under the water bond insurance program, the research and planning program, and the program for water and wastewater financial assistance for disadvantaged rural communities. The bill specifies that the financial assistance provided for such projects under the financial assistance for the water pollution control program be under the safe drinking water revolving fund.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.