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."