Texas Senate Bill SJR4

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/21/11
• Refer: 3/28/11
• Voted on by Senate: 4/28/11
• Report Pass: 4/21/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/5/11
• Engrossed: 4/28/11
• Voted on by House: 5/5/11
• Refer: 5/2/11
• Sent toSOS: 5/9/11
• Report Pass: 5/3/11
• Introduced: 5/5/11
• Enrolled: 5/6/11

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of additional general obligation bonds by the Texas Water Development Board.

Impact

The implications of SJR4 on state laws are significant. By allowing the issuance of more general obligation bonds, this constitutional amendment could facilitate accelerated funding for various water projects. It gives the Texas Water Development Board greater leeway in managing funding and responding to urgent infrastructure needs. The removal of certain limitations related to previous bond authorizations could streamline the funding process for critical water initiatives in the state, potentially improving public access to clean water and enhancing overall water management.

Summary

SJR4, proposed by Senator Hinojosa et al., seeks to amend the Texas Constitution to allow the Texas Water Development Board to issue additional general obligation bonds. Specifically, the amendment enables the board to issue bonds continuously for the Texas Water Development Fund II, provided that the total amount of outstanding bonds does not exceed $6 billion at any given time. This move aims to enhance the state's capacity to finance essential water projects and infrastructure improvements, in response to growing demands for water resources across Texas.

Contention

While proponents argue that SJR4 is a necessary step to address the urgent need for upgraded water infrastructure, there may be concerns regarding the state's increasing debt levels. Critics could argue that issuing more bonds may lead to financial strain on the state if not managed correctly. Moreover, there could be debates surrounding the prioritization of funded projects, prompting discussions about which regions or communities will benefit most from these financial resources. Thus, while the bill aims to promote infrastructure development, it may also generate discussions about fiscal responsibility and equitable resource distribution across Texas.