S.B. No. 7 aims to improve the oversight and financing of water infrastructure projects managed by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) by introducing a new Subchapter H to Chapter 6 of the Water Code, titled "Water Supply Conveyance Coordination." This new section outlines the board's responsibilities in facilitating collaboration among stakeholders involved in water supply projects, emphasizing the reduction of eminent domain through the use of existing easements, the development of best practices for infrastructure design, and ensuring interoperability of water transport systems. The bill also expands the types of projects eligible for financial assistance from the TWDB, including water and wastewater reuse projects and the acquisition of out-of-state water rights, while establishing guidelines for fund allocation, particularly focusing on rural areas and smaller municipalities.

Additionally, the bill creates a Texas water fund administrative fund to cover expenses related to administering the Texas water fund, which will include appropriated money and transfers from the board. It modifies the Texas Water Fund Advisory Committee by increasing its membership from seven to eight and allows the board to issue up to $100 million in bonds for water supply and sewer services. The percentage of financial assistance available to political subdivisions from state-issued bonds is increased from 70% to 90%. The bill also mandates the advisory committee to conduct semiannual reviews of fund operations and provides for the establishment of a publicly accessible tool on the TWDB website to track progress on water supply needs and financial commitments. Furthermore, it includes provisions for confidentiality regarding sensitive information and sets a timeline for the act's effective dates, contingent upon voter approval of a related constitutional amendment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Water Code 15.153, Water Code 15.504, Water Code 15.502, Water Code 15.703, Water Code 16.131, Water Code 15.431 (Water Code 16, Water Code 15)
Senate Committee Report: Water Code 11.036, Water Code 15.153, Water Code 15.502, Water Code 15.504, Water Code 15.505, Water Code 15.703, Water Code 16.131, Water Code 15.431 (Water Code 16, Water Code 15, Water Code 11)
Engrossed: Water Code 11.036, Water Code 15.153, Water Code 15.502, Water Code 15.504, Water Code 15.505, Water Code 15.703, Water Code 16.131, Water Code 15.431 (Water Code 16, Water Code 15, Water Code 11)
House Committee Report: Water Code 11.036, Water Code 15.153, Water Code 15.502, Water Code 15.504, Water Code 15.703, Water Code 16.131, Water Code 17.0112, Water Code 17.933, Water Code 15.431 (Water Code 16, Water Code 15, Water Code 11, Water Code 17)
Enrolled: Water Code 11.036, Water Code 15.153, Water Code 15.502, Water Code 15.504, Water Code 15.505, Water Code 15.703, Water Code 16.131, Water Code 17.0112, Water Code 17.933, Water Code 15.431 (Water Code 16, Water Code 15, Water Code 11, Water Code 17)