H.B. No. 2077
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to a pilot program under the loanstar revolving loan
  program to promote the use of energy efficiency measures and
  renewable energy technology by certain nonprofit organizations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 2305, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2305.0322 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2305.0322.  PILOT REVOLVING LOAN PROGRAM FOR ENERGY
  EFFICIENCY MEASURES AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGY BY CERTAIN
  NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.  (a)  The legislature finds that promoting
  the implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable
  energy technology is necessary to protect the public health and
  environment of this state and that the up-front cost of
  implementing those improvements often prevents some in the private
  sector, especially certain nonprofit organizations, from making
  the improvements. To make the implementation of energy efficiency
  measures and renewable energy technology by certain nonprofit
  organizations more affordable, it is necessary to provide
  alternative means of financing those improvements. Therefore, the
  legislature finds that a public purpose will be served by
  establishing a pilot program that provides loans to community-based
  organizations and houses of worship to finance the implementation
  of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy technology in
  the buildings owned and operated by those organizations.
         (b)  In this section:
               (1)  "Community-based organization" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 535.001.
               (2)  "Energy efficiency" means a measure that is aimed
  at reducing the rate at which energy is used by equipment or
  processes and may be achieved by:
                     (A)  substituting more advanced equipment to
  produce the same or a higher level of end-use services with less
  energy;
                     (B)  adopting technology and processes that
  reduce heat or other energy losses;
                     (C)  installing materials, including
  weatherization materials, or equipment that reduces or facilitates
  a reduction in heat or other energy loss; or
                     (D)  reorganizing processes to make use of waste
  heat.
               (3)  "House of worship" means a nonprofit corporation
  or association that:
                     (A)  is operated through a religious or
  denominational organization, including an organization that is
  operated for religious, educational, or charitable purposes and
  that is operated, supervised, or controlled, wholly or partly, by
  or in connection with a religious organization; or
                     (B)  clearly demonstrates through the
  organization's mission statement, policies, or practices that the
  organization is guided or motivated by religion.
               (4)  "Pilot program" means the pilot program
  established under this section to provide loans to houses of
  worship and community-based organizations to finance the
  implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy
  technology in buildings owned or operated by those organizations.
               (5)  "Renewable energy technology" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 39.904(d), Utilities Code.
         (c)  Notwithstanding the requirement that the energy office
  provide loans under the loanstar revolving loan program to finance
  energy and water efficiency measures for public facilities, the
  energy office shall establish and administer a pilot program under
  the loanstar revolving loan program established under Section
  2305.032 to provide loans to houses of worship and community-based
  organizations to finance the implementation of energy efficiency
  measures and renewable energy technology in buildings owned or
  operated by those organizations.
         (d)  Not later than January 1 of each year, the energy office
  shall submit a report to the legislature that includes:
               (1)  a brief description of:
                     (A)  the implementation and status of the pilot
  program;
                     (B)  the energy efficiency measures or renewable
  energy technologies financed under the pilot program; and
                     (C)  the energy saved and clean energy produced as
  a result of implementing energy efficiency measures or renewable
  energy technologies financed under the program;
               (2)  recommendations for addressing any challenges or
  obstacles encountered in financing the implementation of energy
  efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies under the
  pilot program; and
               (3)  any additional information the office determines
  necessary.
         (e)  This section expires December 31, 2015.
         SECTION 2.  The state energy conservation office shall
  establish the pilot program required under Section 2305.0322,
  Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than March 1, 2012.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2077 was passed by the House on May 4,
  2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 120, Nays 16, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2077 was passed by the Senate on May
  24, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0
  .
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor