RESOLUTION ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 11

By: González, Mary

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls to reauthorize funds for the Texas Water Development Board's economically distressed areas program in order to ensure that previous state investments in water and wastewater infrastructure are completed. While the program has been successful in providing Texans with safe, secure sources of water and wastewater, it has been reported that there is a severe shortage of remaining funds for the program. H.J.R. 11 seeks to address this matter by authorizing the issuance of additional general obligation bonds for program purposes.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

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

ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 11 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to authorize the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), in addition to previously authorized general obligation bonds for the economically distressed areas program account of the Texas water development fund II, to issue additional general obligation bonds, at its determination, for that account in an amount not to exceed $200 million. The resolution requires the bonds to be used to provide financial assistance for the development of water supply, sewer service, and drainage projects in economically distressed areas of Texas as defined by law.

H.J.R. 11 authorizes the bonds to be issued as bonds, notes, or other obligations as permitted by law and requires the bonds to be sold in forms and denominations, on terms, at times, in the manner, at places, and in installments, as determined by the TWDB. The resolution requires the bonds to bear a rate or rates of interest the TWDB determines and establishes that the bonds are incontestable after execution by the TWDB, approval by the attorney general, and delivery to the purchaser or purchasers of the bonds.

ELECTION DATE

The constitutional amendment proposed by this joint resolution will be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2019.