Certain political subdivisions may apply for plumbing assistance loans, and the board must set the interest rates and may approve loans only when stated conditions are met.
Sec. 15.735. APPLICATION SUBMISSION AND APPROVAL. (a) A political subdivision located in the county of Brewster, Cameron, El Paso, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Maverick, Presidio, Starr, Terrell, Val Verde, Webb, or Zapata in which residences do not have water or wastewater facilities that meet minimum standards established by the commission or in any other area designated by federal law to benefit from the fund may submit to the board an application for a plumbing assistance loan in accordance with rules adopted by the board. The application must include: (1) the legal name of the political subdivision and a citation to the law under which it operates and was created; (2) a description of the water conservation methods to be used in the provision of water and wastewater service in the area the political subdivision proposes to affect by its plumbing improvement loan program; (3) a map showing the location of the area the political subdivision proposes to affect by its plumbing improvement loan program; (4) a description of the subdivision's proposed plumbing improvement loan program; and (5) other information as required by board rule. (b) The board may approve a plumbing assistance loan to a political subdivision only if the political subdivision is in a county that has adopted the model rules developed under Section 16.343 of this code. The board may approve a plumbing assistance loan to a municipality only if the municipality has adopted the model rules developed under Section 16.343 of this code. (c) The board may approve a plumbing assistance loan to a political subdivision only if the political subdivision is, or is in an area within the jurisdiction of, an authorized agent of the commission under Subchapter C, Chapter 366, Health and Safety Code. (d) The board may not approve an application for a plumbing assistance loan to a political subdivision unless the board finds that the political subdivision is financially capable of managing a plumbing improvement loan program and that the public interest will be served by the plumbing assistance loan. (e) The board shall set interest rates to be charged to political subdivisions on plumbing assistance loans. Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 294, Sec. 6, eff. June 7, 1991. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 11.287, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.