By: Rodriguez of Travis H.B. No. 1362
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to implementation of a pilot program under the loanstar
revolving loan program to promote the use of energy efficiency
measures and renewable energy technology by certain nonprofit
organizations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2305.0322, Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 2305.0322. PILOT REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM FOR ENERGY
EFFICIENCY MEASURES AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY BY CERTAIN
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. (a) The legislature finds that promoting
the implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable
energy technology is necessary to protect the public health and
environment of this state and that the up-front cost of
implementing those improvements often prevents some in the private
sector, especially certain nonprofit organizations, from making
the improvements. To make the implementation of energy efficiency
measures and renewable energy technology by certain nonprofit
organizations more affordable, it is necessary to provide
alternative means of financing those improvements. Therefore, the
legislature finds that a public purpose will be served by
establishing a pilot program that provides loans to community-based
organizations and houses of worship to finance the implementation
of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technology in
the buildings owned and operated by those organizations.
(b) In this section:
(1) "Community-based organization" has the meaning
assigned by Section 535.001.
(2) "Energy efficiency" means a measure that is aimed
at reducing the rate at which energy is used by equipment or
processes and may be achieved by:
(A) substituting more advanced equipment to
produce the same or a higher level of end-use services with less
energy;
(B) adopting technology and processes that
reduce heat or other energy losses;
(C) installing materials, including
weatherization materials, or equipment that reduces or facilitates
a reduction in heat or other energy loss; or
(D) reorganizing processes to make use of waste
heat.
(3) "House of worship" means a nonprofit corporation
or association that:
(A) is operated through a religious or
denominational organization, including an organization that is
operated for religious, educational, or charitable purposes and
that is operated, supervised, or controlled, wholly or partly, by
or in connection with a religious organization; or
(B) clearly demonstrates through the
organization's mission statement, policies, or practices that the
organization is guided or motivated by religion.
(4) "Pilot program" means the pilot program
established under this section to provide loans to houses of
worship and community-based organizations to finance the
implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy
technology in buildings owned or operated by those organizations.
(5) "Renewable energy technology" has the meaning
assigned by Section 39.904(d), Utilities Code.
(c) Notwithstanding the requirement that the energy office
provide loans under the loanstar revolving loan program to finance
energy and water efficiency measures for public facilities, the
energy office shall establish and administer a pilot program under
the loanstar revolving loan program established under Section
2305.032 to provide loans to houses of worship and community-based
organizations to finance the implementation of energy efficiency
measures and renewable energy technology in buildings owned or
operated by those organizations.
(d) Not later than January 1 of each year, the energy office
shall submit a report to the legislature that includes:
(1) a brief description of:
(A) the implementation and status of the pilot
program;
(B) the energy efficiency measures or renewable
energy technologies financed under the pilot program; and
(C) the energy saved and clean energy produced as
a result of implementing energy efficiency measures or renewable
energy technologies financed under the program;
(2) recommendations for addressing any challenges or
obstacles encountered in financing the implementation of energy
efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies under the
pilot program; and
(3) any additional information the office determines
necessary.
(e) Not later than September 1, 2013, the energy office
shall establish an advisory committee composed of at least five
representatives from faith and community-based organizations to
assist the office in implementing the pilot program. The energy
office shall work with statewide faith and community-based
organizations to recruit advisory committee members. The advisory
committee shall elect a chair and the chair shall call their
meetings. They shall meet as often as needed to:
(1) make recommendations to the energy office
regarding the application process and documents;
(2) develop a faith and community-based outreach and
education plan for the pilot project; and
(3) write a report to the Legislature before the
beginning of each legislative session identifying challenges and
successes of the pilot program and recommendations for future
efforts to bring energy efficiency to the nonprofit sector.
(f) [(e)] This section expires December 31, 2017 [2015].
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.