83R9827 SLB-D
By: Lavender H.B. No. 3419
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the planning and funding of water projects to be
constructed in a region other than the region proposing the
project.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 16.053(e-1), Water Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(e-1) A regional water plan may not include a proposal for
the construction of a water project in another regional water
planning area unless at least two-thirds of the members of the
regional water planning group for that area have consented to the
inclusion of the proposal in the plan [On request of the Texas Water
Advisory Council, a regional planning group shall provide the
council a copy of that planning group's regional water plan].
SECTION 2. Section 16.053(h)(4), Water Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(4) After the regional water plan is initially
prepared, the regional water planning group shall submit a copy of
the plan to the board. The board shall submit comments on the
regional water plan as to whether the plan meets the requirements of
Subsections (e) and (e-1) [Subsection (e) of this section].
SECTION 3. Section 16.053(j), Water Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(j) The board may provide financial assistance to political
subdivisions under Subchapters E and F of this chapter, Subchapters
C, D, E, F, J, O, Q, and R, Chapter 15, and Subchapters D, I, K, and
L, Chapter 17, for water supply projects only if:
(1) the board determines that the needs to be
addressed by the project will be addressed in a manner that is
consistent with the state water plan;
(2) beginning January 5, 2002[, the board]:
(A) the board has approved a regional water plan
as provided by Subsection (i), and any required updates of the plan,
for the region of the state that includes the area benefiting from
the proposed project; [and]
(B) if the proposed project is to be constructed
in a regional water planning area other than the area benefiting
from the proposed project, at least two-thirds of the members of the
regional water planning group for the area in which the proposed
project is to be constructed have consented to the inclusion in that
regional water plan of the proposal to construct the project as
required by Subsection (e-1); and
(C) the board determines that the needs to be
addressed by the project will be addressed in a manner that is
consistent with that regional water plan; and
(3) the board finds that the water audit required
under Section 16.0121 has been completed and filed.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.