Sec. 11.3291. WATERMASTER FUND. (a) The watermaster fund is created as a special fund in the state treasury and shall be administered by the commission under this subchapter and rules adopted by the commission.

(b) The legislature hereby appropriates without further legislative action any funds deposited in the watermaster's fund as provided in this subchapter. The watermaster fund shall be used: (1) to pay the compensation and expenses of the watermaster in each water division; (2) to pay expenditures for equipment, facilities, and capital expenditures necessary to the watermaster operation when recommended by the watermaster advisory committee and the executive director and approved by the commission when hearings are required as provided in Section 11.329; and (3) to pay into the general revenue fund for use without further appropriation for purposes of providing overhead and administrative expenses of the commission in an amount not greater than 10 percent times the approved annual budget under this subchapter in a water division. Any amounts not used in one fiscal year shall be carried over and used for the following fiscal year's operational expenses of the watermaster.

(c) The watermaster fund shall be accounted for separately according to the appropriate water division from which the watermaster's assessment is collected.

(d) The watermaster fund shall consist of:

(1) fees collected in each water division;

(2) money from gifts, grants, or donations to the fund for designated or general lawful use; and

(3) money from any other source designated by the legislature or the commission.

(e) The commission may invest, reinvest, and direct the investment of any available money in the fund as provided by law for the investment of money under Section 404.024, Government Code.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 696, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.