88R596 JXC-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 53
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to financial assistance by the Texas Water Development
Board for backup power generators in economically distressed areas
for public water supply and sanitary sewer systems.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter K, Chapter 17, Water Code, is amended
by adding Section 17.9227 to read as follows:
Sec. 17.9227. GENERATORS TO SUPPORT WATER SUPPLY AND SEWER
SERVICE. (a) The legislature finds that it is in the public
interest to use funds in the economically distressed areas account
to provide financial assistance for the costs associated with
backup power generators for facilities of public water supply and
sanitary sewer systems.
(b) A political subdivision may use financial assistance to
pay for the installation, maintenance, operation, and fueling of a
backup power generator for a facility of a public water supply and
sanitary sewer system.
(c) Assistance under this section shall only be provided to
political subdivisions that demonstrate an inability to pay for the
installation, maintenance, operation, and fueling of a backup power
generator described by Subsection (b) in accordance with board
rules. If the board determines that a political subdivision to
which assistance has been provided is ineligible to receive the
assistance, the board may seek reimbursement from the political
subdivision.
(d) The board shall adopt rules to implement this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.