BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2091

By: Martinez

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that there is a shortage of water in South Texas that may be mitigated through water reclamation, including through projects implemented by drainage districts. H.B. 2091 seeks to establish a grant program administered by the Texas Water Development Board available to political subdivisions for the construction, acquisition, or improvement of water supply projects and to provide for the eligibility of drainage districts to receive a grant under the program.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Water Development Board in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2091 amends the Water Code to establish a grant program under which the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) may provide grants to a political subdivision, including a drainage district established under specified provisions of the Texas Constitution that provide for conservation and reclamation districts, for the construction, acquisition, or improvement of water supply projects, including projects that contain a flood control component. The bill requires the TWDB to adopt rules necessary to implement the grant program, including rules establishing eligibility requirements for the use of grants. The bill prohibits the eligibility requirements from disqualifying a drainage district from receiving a grant because the district does not provide retail water service to consumers or have historical data about water use or a certificate of convenience and necessity under which it provides retail water or wastewater service.

H.B. 2091 specifies that the financial assistance that may be provided by the TWDB from the water supply account to political subdivisions for the construction, acquisition, or improvement of water supply projects includes grants.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.