Sec. 26.559.  RECLAMATION AND RESTORATION FUND ACCOUNT.  (a)  Penalties and other money received by the commission as a result of an enforcement action taken under this subchapter, and any gift or grant the commission receives for the purposes of this subchapter, shall be deposited into the reclamation and restoration fund account in the general revenue fund.  Money in the account may be appropriated only to the commission for the reclamation and restoration of the beds, bottoms, and banks of water bodies affected by the unlawful discharges subject to this subchapter.
(b)  At least 60 days before spending money from the reclamation and restoration fund account, the commission shall publish notice of its proposed plan and conduct a hearing for the purpose of soliciting public comment, oral or written.  The commission shall fully consider all written and oral submissions on the proposed plan.
(c)  At least 30 days before the date of the public hearing, the notice must be published in the Texas Register and in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the violation resulting in the payment of the penalties or other money occurred.
(d)  Interest and other income earned on money in the account shall be credited to the account.  The account is exempt from the application of Section 403.095, Government Code.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 374 (S.B. 1354), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2005.
Reenacted by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 698 (H.B. 1688), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2023.