The Texas Water Development Board is seeking public input on a newly released implementation plan outlining how it will distribute a one-time state funding infusion.
Last year, lawmakers passed House Bill 500, which appropriates $1.038 billion to the Texas Water Development Board to be distributed as local grants for water supply or water infrastructure projects. The funds will be awarded before August 31, 2027, after which they will no longer be available.
When the legislation passed, there were no specific directions that allocated the appropriations to a particular TWDB fund. Due to this lack of direction, the board opted to establish a separate one-time plan that will award the money to local governments for water projects as grants.
According to the Water Supply and Infrastructure Grant Implementation Plan released by the TWDB, funds can be used only for water supply and infrastructure projects. The grants can also only be awarded to local governments. Wastewater and flood projects, as well as water supply corporations and investor-owned utilities, are ineligible to receive any of the funds.
All funds distributed through the program will be done as grants, which do not require repayment.
TWDB has also set out rules for entities seeking to apply these specific funds—limiting funding based on population size and project readiness. There is a project dollar cap amount contingent on population size.
The full implementation plan proposed by the TWDB can be found here. Public comment will be accepted until February 4.
To submit a comment to TWDB regarding the plan, fill out the Online Public Comment Form here or email [email protected]. A public meeting will be held via webinar on January 20, where comments can also be made.
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