Texas House Bill HB2290

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to the use for administrative costs of a portion of money received by certain entities to implement a supplemental environmental project.

Impact

The amendment to Section 7.067 of the Texas Water Code applies to funds received by local governments or qualified organizations specifically for implementing supplemental environmental projects. This law allows for greater flexibility in the use of these funds, ensuring that organizations are not constrained by the need to use every dollar for project execution alone. This change could enhance the participation of local entities in environmental efforts, as operational costs will be more manageable.

Summary

House Bill 2290 concerns the operational funding allowed for local governments and tax-exempt organizations undertaking supplemental environmental projects. The primary focus of the bill is to permit these entities to allocate a portion of the funding received for project implementation towards administrative costs, which may include overhead, personnel salaries, and travel expenses. By allowing up to 10% of the funds to cover these costs, the bill aims to ease the financial burden on organizations while ensuring the effective management of environmental initiatives.

Contention

While there seems to be broad support for facilitating funding to environmental projects, some concerns may arise regarding the potential misuse of funds. Critics may argue that allowing administrative expenses to be paid with project funds could lead to a reduction in the actual money spent on tangible environmental outcomes. Nonetheless, proponents emphasize the importance of sustainable management practices and the necessity of adequately compensating staff and covering essential project-related costs to achieve regulatory compliance and effective project execution.