lege+water: April 2021 Update

lege+water: April 2021 Update

Every month during the 87th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature, Dr. Todd Votteler and Dr. Robert Mace provide an update on water-related legislation. The key water committees are Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs in the Senate, chaired by Senator Charles Perry (R) of Lubbock, and Natural Resources in the House of Representatives, chaired by Representative Tracy King (D) of Uvalde. The Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee is still meeting weekly on Monday mornings at 8 a.m., while the House Natural Resources Committee continues to meet the following day on Tuesday at 8 a.m.

Since our last installment work on a handful of key water bills has moved forward. Below is our list of these bills with a few new entries we are now watching. We include some details on the status of these bills and provide some details regarding their potential impact. Of note, a number of bills were filed this session regarding various aspects of climate change. None of these bills has made significant progress in either chamber:

HB 2225 (T. King/Guillen)

Relating to the powers and duties of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) regarding the Texas Water Trust. The Texas Water Trust is a repository for surface water rights to maintain in-stream flows and freshwater inflows to bays and estuaries. HB 2225 directs TPWD to encourage and facilitate the dedication of water rights to the Trust through lease, donation, purchase or other voluntary means, and authorizes TPWD to manage the rights put into the Trust so as to maximize benefits for the environment. This bill has now been passed by the House of Representatives and has been referred by the Senate to the Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Committee.

Learn more from the Texas Legislature Online >>

HB 2350 (Zwiener/Walle/Harris)

Relating to financial assistance provided to political subdivisions by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for water resource restoration projects. This legislation allows the TWDB to tap the “state water pollution control revolving fund,” provided through the Federal Clean Water Act, to fund rain gardens, green roofs, constructed wetlands and other “nature-based” strategies for reducing water pollution, flooding, and impacts of drought. This bill was passed by the House Natural Resources Committee and then the House of Representatives, and then sent to the Senate.

Learn more from the Texas Legislature Online >>

HB 2716 (T. King)

Relating to recommendations made by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and intervention by the TPWD in matters regarding certain permits. HB 2716 would restore TPWD’s authority to participate in contested case hearings on environmental permit applications, including surface water rights, to advocate on behalf of the state’s fish and wildlife resources. This bill was passed by the House Natural Resources Committee and was referred to the House Calendars Committee.

Learn more from the Texas Legislature Online >>

HB 4146 (T. King)

Relating to a restriction on permits authorizing direct discharges of waste or pollutants into water in certain stream segments or assessment units. This bill prohibits wastewater discharge into stream segments that include, but are not limited to, the Llano, Pedernales, Comal, Guadalupe, Medina, Nueces, and San Marcos Rivers, as well as Barton Creek and Onion Creek. This bill has been passed by the House Environmental Regulation Committee and was referred to the House Calendars Committee.

Learn more from the Texas Legislature Online >>

SB 152 (Perry/Creighton)

Relating to the regulation of groundwater conservation districts (legal fees, petitioning for rule-making, etc.). This is bill alters the Texas Water Code regarding groundwater conservation districts in a number of respects including as one of its most controversial elements the elimination of the right of groundwater conservation districts to recover attorney’s fees and other costs for litigation in which a district is sued and prevails in court, which would likely impede efforts by districts to regulate groundwater. This bill has already been passed by the Senate and referred to House Natural Resources Committee, where it received a hearing on April 27.

Learn more from the Texas Legislature Online >>

SB 600 (Perry/Zaffirini)

Relating to an inventory of dams controlled by river authorities. Requires each river authority to provide to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality information regarding the operation and maintenance of dams under the control of that river authority for a publicly available database. The information that would be required for each dam includes:

  1. the location of the dam;
  2. under whose jurisdiction the dam operates;
  3. a required maintenance schedule for the dam;
  4. costs of the operation and maintenance of the dam; and
  5. the method of finance for the operation and maintenance costs of the dam.

This bill has been passed by the Senate and has received a hearing by the House Natural Resources Committee..

Learn more from the Texas Legislature Online >>

SB 601 (Perry/Creighton/Springer)

Relating to the creation and activities of the Texas Produced Water Consortium. This bill would create a consortium to study the use of produced water from oil and gas hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for future use. Produced water is defined as the water that exists in subsurface formations, which is brought to the surface during oil and gas production. Water is generated from conventional oil and gas production, as well as the production of unconventional sources such as coal bed methane, tight sands, and gas shale. This bill has already been passed by the Senate and House Natural Resources Committee and has been sent to the House Calendars Committee.

Learn more from the Texas Legislature Online >>

SB 669 (Springer)

Relating to certain reports created by the Texas Water Development Board. This bill has been passed by the Senate and the House Natural Resources Committee and then placed by the House Local and Consent Calendars Committee on the House of Representatives Local, Consent, and Resolutions Calendar for April 30.

Learn more from the Texas Legislature Online >>

SB 905 (Perry/Springer)

Relating to guidance on the regulations applicable to the potable reuse of wastewater. This bill has passed out of the Senate and was referred to the House Natural Resources Committee on April 14 where it awaits a hearing.

Learn more from the Texas Legislature Online >>

Water Bill Tracker

Note: There is no guarantee of accuracy on this sheet. Confirm status of any bill of interest at Texas Legislature Online.

Legend:

R = Referred to Committee

OCH = Out of Chamber

H = Hearing

H/FM = Hearing/Formal Meeting

OC = Out of Committee

X = Failed to Pass

 = of great interest (major impacts and increased liklihood of passing)

Bill Author(s) Link R H OC OCH R H/FM OC Companion Topic Caption
HB 152 Buckley link   groundwater Relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of   groundwater conditions in certain counties. [for the Trinity and Edwards Aquifers north of the Colorado Riverin Bell, Burnet, Milam, Travis, and   Williamson Counties]
HB 242 Zweiner link     pollution Relating to the authority of the Texas Commission on   Environmental Quality to require water pollution abatement plans from certain facilities regulated by the   Railroad Commission of Texas.
HB 271 Murr link   navigable Relating to the procedure by which a state agency may issue an   opinion that a watercourse is navigable.
HB 291 Murr link     aggregate Relating to the regulation of certain aggregate production operations by the Texas Commission on Environmental   Quality; authorizing an increase in the amount of a fee
HB 303 Collier link   lead Relating to testing for lead contamination in public school drinking water.
HB 348 Zweiner link   HB 2990 permits Relating to a requirement to make certain environmental and water use permit applications available online.
HB 605 Gervin-Hawkins link       SB 2053 plans Relating to the adoption of a healthy and safe school water plan by public   schools.
HB 666 Harris link   SB 152 GCDs Relating to the regulation of groundwater   conservation districts.
HB 668 Harris link   SB 152 GCDs Relating to the regulation of groundwater   conservation districts.
HB 767 Huberty, Zwiener link     aggregate Relating to best management practices for aggregate production operations.
HB 806 Gates link   metering Relating to nonsubmetered billing for water or wastewater service.
HB 966 Burns link   GCDs Relating to the award of attorney's fees and other costs in   certain suits involving a groundwater conservation   district.
HB 1044 Anchia, Reynolds link   climate Relating to establishing the Texas Climate   Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to   study and address the impacts of climate change in this state
HB 1143 Ramos link       pollution Relating to the publication of pathogen-related fresh water   data by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
HB 1154 Jetton, Metcalf, Bell, Cecil link         open Relating to the requirement that certain political   subdivisions cause certain information to be posted on an Internet website.
HB 1180 Krause link   financial Relating to the creation of the Fiscal Risk Management   Commission.
HB 1191 Goodwin link   SB 1294 e-justice Relating to the creation of the Office of Environmental   Justice within the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
HB 1289 Reynolds link   pollution Relating to notice of certain accidental discharges or spills to local government officials by the Texas Commission on Environmental   Quality.
HB 1391 Middleton link     taxes Relating to the effect of an election at which the voters fail   to approve or vote to reduce the ad valorem tax rate adopted by the governing   body of a taxing unit.
HB 1395 Middleton link   enabler for HJR 75 taxes Relating to ad valorem taxation.
HB 1410 Murphy link             SB 1959 districts Relating to the provision of parks and recreational facilities   by water districts.
HB 1435 Lucio III link     SB 2114 Relating to a certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide   water or sewer service in an area incorporated or annexed by a municipality.
HB 1615 Cyrier link     SB 700 TPWD Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Parks   and Wildlife Department.
HB 1718 Rodriguez link   GCDs Relating to the equalization of the rates of production fees   charged on certain wells by the Barton Springs-Edwards Aquifer Conservation   District; authorizing an increase in the rate of the fee.
HB 1801 Larson, Lopez link   SB 1441 GCDs Relating to withdrawals of water from the Edwards Aquifer to   supply a military installation
HB 1821 Zweiner link   climate Relating to climate change planning and reporting.
HB 1866 Lucio III link       SB 669 TWDB Relating to certain reports created by the Texas Water   Development Board.
HB 1874 Larson link       SB 673 TWDB Relating to the provision of technical assistance by the Texas   Water Development Board to an interregional planning council.
HB 1904 Harris link         SB 531 financial Relating to the use of the water infrastructure fund
HB 1905 Harris link           planning Relating to relieving regional water planning groups of   certain duties
HB 1949 Crockett link   SB 306, HB 1949, HB 3246, HB 4178 climate Relating to information on projected changes in weather, water   availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state   agencies.
HB 1956 Beckley, Ramos, González, Jessica, Hinojosa link   SB 306, HB 1949, HB 3246, HB 4178 climate Relating to information on projected changes in weather, water   availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state   agencies.
HB 2017 Thierry link   climate Relating to information on projected changes in weather, water   availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state   agencies.
HB 2019 Hefner link     SB 699 aggregate Relating to a study of the conversion of surface mine pits and   quarries to water storage reservoirs in order to enhance this state's   available water supply.
HB 2038 Talarico link   lead Relating to lead in drinking water at schools and child care   facilities
HB 2095 Wilson link       research Relating to water research conducted by The University of Texas Bureau of   Economic Geology
HB 2103 Bowers link         SB 859 open Relating to the authority of certain water planning entities to hold an   open or closed meeting by telephone conference call or videoconference call
HB 2148 Stephenson, Reynolds, Ramos link     pollution Relating to notice of contamination of a public water supply to certain   water providers by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
HB 2166 Raymond link     drought Relating to a study by the Texas Division of Emergency Management of the   potential effects of droughts and wildfires in this state.
HB 2196 Schaefer link   disaster Relating to state emergency management during a state of disaster.
HB 2224 Bell, Cecil link   SB 784 rates Relating to rates established by municipalities for water and sewer   services.
HB 2225 King, Tracy O., Guillen link           TPWD Relating to the powers and duties of the Parks and Wildlife Department   regarding the Texas Water Trust.
HB 2236 Hernandez, Coleman, Johnson, Jarvis,   Thierry link       SB 1570 land Relating to the authority of a county to adopt a land bank program.
HB 2261 Wu link       Relating to the authority of a municipal management district to provide   public education facilities and public education-related supplemental   services.
HB 2268 Paul link       Relating to disconnection notices for water and sewer service.
HB 2275 Zwiener link     enbler for HJR 103 Relating to critical infrastructure resiliency and financing
HB 2350 Zwiener, Walle, Harris link         SB 1746 TWDB Relating to financial assistance provided to political subdivisions by   the Texas Water Development Board for nature-based water quality enhancement   projects
HB 2368 Morales Shaw link     Relating to the participation by local governments in water quality   control measures
HB 2370 Morales Shaw link   Relating to procedures for certain permit applications submitted to the   Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
HB 2381 Larson link   SB 853 Relating to the establishment of the Texas Energy and Communications   Commission to consolidate the functions of the Public Utility Commission of   Texas and the Railroad Commission of Texas. 
HB 2422 Zwiener link   Relating to the regulation of aggregate production operations by the   commissioners court in certain counties
HB 2426 Murr link     Relating to water quality protection areas
HB 2428 Murr link       Relating to the calculation of net to land in the appraisal of open-space   land for ad valorem tax purposes.
HB 2492 Morales, Eddie link   SB 2131 Relating to a grant program for public improvement projects for   unincorporated communities in certain counties.
HB 2564 Crockett link   Relating to mailed notice of the intent to obtain certain environmental   permits
HB 2573 Kuempel link     Relating to the applicability of certain municipal ordinances in the   municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
HB 2619 Wilson link       SB 1118 Relating to the creation and administration of the On-The-Ground   Conservation Program by the State Soil and Water Conservation Board
HB 2643 Campos link   Relating to the development of a plan for the provision of food and water   in an emergency to certain housing facilities operated by public housing   authorities.
HB 2652 Larson link       SB 1039 Relating to establishing an advisory board to study surface water and   groundwater interaction
HB 2659 Rosenthal link     Relating to reporting requirements for certain accidental discharges or   spills
HB 2692 Landgraf link       SB 1046 Relating to the regulation of radioactive waste; reducing a surcharge;   reducing a fee.
HB 2710 Bowers link       Relating to an exemption to the cancellation of a water right for nonuse.
HB 2716 King, Tracy O. link       SB 1723 Relating to recommendations made by the Parks and Wildlife Department and   intervention by the Parks and Wildlife Department in matters regarding   certain permits.
HB 2717 Landgraf link   Relating to certain requirements for water systems
HB 2745 Rosenthal link   Relating to regulation by the Railroad Commission of Texas of the   geologic storage of anthropogenic carbon dioxide.
HB 2851 Lucio III link     Relating to the consideration of modeled sustainable groundwater pumping   in the adoption of desired future conditions in groundwater conservation   districts.
HB 2858 Darby link   HB 4420 Relating to a study and analysis by the comptroller on delivery methods   used for certain projects of the Texas Department of Transportation and the   Texas Water Development Board
HB 2863 Kuempel link     Relating to the storage and recovery of water in a portion of the Edwards   Aquifer.
HB 2877 Beckley link   Relating to notice to elected officials of a widespread power, water, or   natural gas outage or emergency
HB 2898 Lopez link   Relating to notice required after an intentional shutoff of electric and   water service
HB 2905 Morrison link     Relating to public-private partnerships to design, develop, finance,   construct, and receive financial assistance for certain water-related   projects.
HB 2990 Morales Shaw link       HB 348 Relating to a requirement to make certain environmental and water use   permit applications available online.
HB 3084 Larson link       Relating to the identification of and funding for interregional water   projects.
HB 3096 Burrows link   SB 601 Relating to the creation and activities of the Texas Produced Water   Consortium.
HB 3116 Metcalf link   Relating to recommendations for the appointment of directors of the San   Jacinto River Authority.
can't   search house bills past here…
HB 3246 Reynolds link   SB 306, HB 1949, HB 3246, HB   4178 Relating to information on projected changes in weather, water   availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state   agencies.
HB 3619 Bowers link         SB 946 Relating to the criteria considered by groundwater   conservation districts before granting or denying a permit
HB 3683 Morales, Eddie link   Relating to standards for water management in certain areas
HB 3689 Cortez link       SB 1022 Relating to the appeal of rates charged for water or sewer   service by certain retail public utilities
HB 3792 Shaheen, Anderson,   Schaefer link   SB 1606 Relating to protecting the population of Texas, its environment, and its most vulnerable communities, promoting the resilience of the electric grid and certain municipalities
HB 3801 Metcalf link         SB 2157 Relating to desired future conditions for groundwater that are declared   unreasonable
HB 3802 Lozano, Guillen link     SB 1676 Relating to certain rates and fees charged by water supply   corporations
HB 3814 Hunter, Morales, Eddie link   SB 2097 Relating to the regulation by the Texas Commission on   Environmental Quality of the discharge of preproduction plastic from point   and nonpoint sources to ensure zero discharge or release of plastic into   water or onto land in the state and to ensure the prompt cleanup of any   discharged or released plastic
HB 3883 Biedermann link     X Relating to development regulations for certain unincorporated areas   located within the Hill Country Priority Groundwater Management Area;   authorizing a fee; authorizing a civil penalty; creating a criminal offense.
HB 4036 Walle link       SB 1890 Relating to the applicability of uniform grant and contract   management standards to certain Texas Water Development Board programs
HB 4065 Johnson, Jarvis, Thompson, Senfronia link       SB 1679 Relating to the creation of an urban land bank by certain   municipalities
HB 4146 King, Tracy O. link       SB 1747 Relating to a restriction on permits authorizing direct   discharges of waste or pollutants into water in certain stream segments or   assessment units
HB 4161 Frank link   SB 905 Relating to guidance on the regulations applicable to the   potable reuse of wastewater.
HB 4178 Fierro link   SB 306, HB 1949, HB 3246, HB 4178 Relating to information on projected changes in weather, water   availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state   agencies
HB 4359 Parker, King, Phil, Shaheen, Raymond, Lucio III link     SB 2116 Relating to prohibiting contracts or other agreements with   certain foreign-owned companies in connection with critical infrastructure in   this state
SB 152 Perry, Creighton link             HB 666, HB 668 Relating to the regulation of groundwater conservation   districts. [legal fees, petitioning for rule-making, etc]
SB 306 Eckhardt link   SB 306, HB 1949, HB 3246, HB 4178 Relating to information on projected changes in weather, water   availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state agencies.
SB 307 Eckhardt link   Relating to the transmission of water across two or more county lines for the purpose of providing wholesale water service.
SB 531 Kolkorst link     HB 1904 Relating to the use of the water infrastructure fund.
SB 600 Perry, Zaffirini link             Relating to an inventory of dams controlled by river authorities
SB 601 Perry, Creighton, Springer link               HB 3096 Relating to the creation and activities of the Texas Produced Water Consortium.
SB 656 Gutierrez link   Relating to the creation of the Val Verde   County Groundwater Conservation District;   providing authority to issue bonds; providing authority to impose fees,   surcharges, and taxes.
SB 668 Menéndez link     HB 872 Relating to the confidentiality of certain government operated   utility customer information.
SB 669 Springer link               HB 1866 Relating to certain reports created by the Texas   Water Development Board.
SB 699 Hughes link       HB 2019 Relating to a study of the conversion of surface mine pits and   quarries to water storage reservoirs in order to enhance this state's   available water supply.
SB 673 Buckingham link   HB 1874 Relating to the provision of technical assistance by the Texas   Water Development Board to an interregional planning council.
SB 700 Buckingham, Hall, Lucio, Paxton link           HB 1615 Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
SB 739 Birdwell link         Relating to the presiding officers of the boards of directors   of river authorities.
SB 817 Gutierrez link   Relating to the winterization and emergency preparedness for electric   utilities, power generation companies, municipally owned utilities, and   electric cooperatives.
SB 830 Zaffirini link     HB 837 Relating to the procedure for amending or revoking certificates of public   convenience and necessity issued to certain retail public utilities.
SB 853 Menéndez link   HB 2381 Relating to the establishment of the Texas Energy and Communications   Commission to consolidate the functions of the Public Utility Commission of   Texas and the Railroad Commission of Texas.
SB 859 Johnson, Perry link       HB 2103 Relating to the authority of certain water planning entities to hold an   open or closed meeting by telephone conference call or videoconference call.
SB 871 Nichols, Buckingham link   Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas State Board of   Plumbing Examiners; requiring an occupational license; authorizing a fee.
SB 888 Eckhardt link   Relating to the use of green stormwater infrastructure in new state   buildings.
SB 905 Perry, Springer link           HB 4161 Relating to guidance on the regulations applicable to the potable reuse of wastewater.
SB 946 Eckhardt link   HB 3619 Relating to the criteria considered by groundwater conservation districts   before granting or denying a permit.
SB 995 Powell, Blanco, Eckhardt, Hinojosa, Johnson, Miles, Zaffirini link   Relating to the establishment of the disaster reinvestment and   infrastructure planning board and the creation of the disaster reinvestment   and infrastructure planning revolving fund; making an appropriation.
SB 997 Nichols link         HB 3079 Relating to procedural requirements for the review of a contractual rate   charged for the furnishing of raw or treated water or water or sewer service
SB 1022 Gutierrez link       HB 3689 Relating to the appeal of rates charged for water or sewer service by   certain retail public utilities
SB 1039 Eckhardt link   HB 2652 Relating to establishing an advisory board to study surface water and   groundwater interaction.
SB 1046 Birdwell, Seliger link       Relating to the regulation of radioactive waste; reducing a surcharge;   reducing a fee.
SB 1118 Johnson  link           HB 2619 Relating to the creation and administration of the On-The-Ground   Conservation Program by the State Soil and Water Conservation Boar
SB 1168 Campbell link         Relating to the authority of a municipality to impose a fine or fee in   certain areas in the municipality's extraterritorial jurisdiction.
SB 1176 Taylor link     HB 1905 Relating to relieving regional water planning groups of certain duties.
SB 1196 Whitmire link   HB 636 Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas State Board of   Plumbing Examiners; authorizing a fee
SB 1294 Eckhardt link   HB 1191 Relating to the creation of the Office of Environmental Justice within   the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
SB 1314 Lucio link   Relating to a person obtaining a surety bond before filing a suit against   a groundwater conservation district.
SB 1382 Creighton link   Relating to the authority of a hospital to drill a water well for the   purpose of producing water for use in the event of an emergency or natural   disaster
SB 1409 Buckingham link   HB 3803 Relating to the adoption of a certain plumbing code by the Texas State   Board of Plumbing Examiners.
SB 1441 Campbell link           HB 1801 Relating to withdrawals of water from the Edwards Aquifer to supply a   military installation.
SB 1569 Lucio link   Relating to the functions of certain urban land bank programs.
SB 1570 Lucio link   HB 2236 Relating to the authority of a county to adopt a land bank program.
SB 1606 Hall, Alvarado, Bettencourt, Blanco, Buckingham, Campbell, Creighton, Gutierrez, Hinojosa, Huffman, Hughes, Johnson, Kolkhorst, Lucio, Miles, Nelson, Paxton, Perry, Powell, Taylor, West, Whitmire, Zaffirini link     HB 3792 Relating to protecting the population of Texas, its environment, and its   most vulnerable communities, promoting the resilience of the electric grid   and certain municipalities.
SB 1676 Zaffirini link   HB 3802 Relating to certain rates and fees charged by water supply corporations.
SB 1679 Alvarado link           HB 4065 Relating to the creation of an urban land bank by certain municipalities.
SB 1682 Hancock link   enabler for SJR 62 Relating to the funding of utility reliability projects by the Texas   Water Development Board and other entities; authorizing the issuance of   revenue bonds, granting rulemaking authority, and making an appropriation.
SB 1687 Gutierrez link   Relating to the use of water withdrawn from the Edwards Aquifer by   certain entities.
SB 1723 Eckhardt link   HB 2716 Relating to recommendations made by the Parks and Wildlife Department and   intervention by the Parks and Wildlife Department in matters regarding   certain permits
SB 1746 Zaffirini link   HB 2350 Relating to financial assistance provided to political subdivisions by   the Texas Water Development Board for nature-based water quality enhancement   projects.
SB 1747 Zaffirini link   HB 4146 Relating to a restriction on permits authorizing direct discharges of   waste or pollutants into water in certain stream segments or assessment   units.
SB 1890 Creighton link               HB 4036 Relating to the applicability of uniform grant and contract management   standards to certain Texas Water Development Board programs.
SB 2078 Menéndez link   Relating to electricity supplied to certain water facilities.
SB 2097 Zaffirini link   HB 3814 Relating to the regulation by the Texas Commission on Environmental   Quality of the discharge of preproduction plastic from point and nonpoint   sources to ensure zero discharge or release of plastic into water or onto   land in the state and to ensure the prompt cleanup of any discharged or   released plastic.
SB 2114 Lucio link   HB 1435 Relating to a certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide   water or sewer service in an area incorporated or annexed by a municipality.
SB 2116 Campbell et al. link         HB 4359 Relating to prohibiting contracts or other agreements with certain   foreign-owned companies in connection with critical infrastructure in this   state
SB 2157 Creighton link   HB 3801 Relating to desired future conditions for groundwater that are declared   unreasonable
SJR 62 Hancock link   HJR 2 Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the   State Utilities Reliability Fund and the State Utilities Reliability Revenue   Fund to provide financial support for projects that enhance the reliability   of water, electricity, natural gas and broadband utilities in this state.