Voters would have the final say on whether the state sets aside billions of dollars to acquire new water sources and invest in aging infrastructure.
Coupled together, the legislation creates a new Water Supply for Texas Fund to be administered by the Texas Water Development Board to pay for new water projects and upgraded infrastructure — with a focus on rural communities. It’s unclear how much money the Legislature would start the fund with. However, the bills’ sponsor and advocates suggested billions would be devoted to the state’s water needs.
“[Senate Bill 28] is our best chance at getting something significant passed for water this session,” Sarah Schlessinger, CEO of Texas Water Foundation, said in a statement to the Tribune. “It is a way to not miss the once in a generation opportunity to fund water infrastructure needs.” The new Texas Water Fund would target the state’s water supply needs. Based on current population estimates, the state will have a shortage of 7 million acre feet of water per year by 2070, Perry said. That’s enough water to cover 7 million acres of land, one foot deep.
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