HOUSTON – A critical bill that will provide $20 billion generational investment to assist Texas in rectifying its aging water infrastructure was signed into law Wednesday.
Governor Greg Abbott signed two major bills (Senate Bill 7 and House Joint Resolution 7) during a signing ceremony in Lubbock to help Texas prepare for a water shortage and make long-term investments in aging infrastructure.
This is one of the main treatment plants supplying water to the City of Houston, which has seen more than its share of boil-water notices due to busted pipes. But across the state, leaders say time is running out and Texas could lose water. The new legislation then sets aside billions to fix failing pipes, develop new water sources, and ensure Texas is ready for the future.
Together, both bills could invest more than $20 billion in Texas’s water systems. Senate Bill 7, for example, includes a one-time $2.5 billion boost to the Texas Water Fund, designed to upgrade old infrastructure, fix leaky pipes, and find new water sources.
Lawmakers say this is a critical step, and Governor Abbott says he’s seen firsthand how dangerous water shortages can be.
“Water is a critical need for all Texas,” Abbott said. “In my State of the State Address, I called on the Texas legislature to make the largest investment in water in Texas history. This law, written by Chairman Perry and Chairman Harris, does just that, providing a $20 billion generational investment for both new water supply and for the repairing of existing infrastructure. With this law, we will secure Texas’ water future for generations to come.”
In addition to immediate funding, HJR 7 proposes a long-term plan of $ 1 billion a year for the next 20 years.
That plan will be on the November ballot, giving Texans the final say.
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As of Thursday morning, KPRC 2’s Re’Chelle Turner is working on trying to figure out how the money will be distributed and how soon Houston and Harris County could get some funding.