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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the identification of and funding for interregional |
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water projects. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 16.052, Water Code, is amended to read as |
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follows: |
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Sec. 16.052. INTERREGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL. (a) The |
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board[, at an appropriate time in each five-year cycle for the |
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adoption of a new state water plan,] shall appoint an interregional |
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planning council. The members of the council serve at the pleasure |
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of the board [until a new state water plan is adopted]. |
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(b) The council consists of one member of each regional |
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water planning group. Each regional water planning group shall |
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nominate one or more members for appointment to the council, and the |
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board shall consider the nominations in making appointments to the |
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council. Members of the council shall select one member as |
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presiding officer. |
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(c) The purposes of the council are to: |
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(1) improve coordination among the regional water |
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planning groups, and between each regional water planning group and |
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the board, in meeting the goals of the state water planning process |
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and the water needs of the state as a whole; |
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(2) facilitate dialogue regarding water management |
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strategies that could affect multiple regional water planning |
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areas; [and] |
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(3) identify and propose water projects for the state |
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water plan that involve multiple water planning areas; |
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(4) develop proposals for innovative funding |
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mechanisms for projects identified under Subdivision (3); and |
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(5) share best practices regarding operation of the |
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regional, interregional, and state water planning processes |
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[process]. |
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(d) The council shall: |
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(1) hold at least one public meeting; and |
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(2) prepare a report to the board on the council's |
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work, including projects and funding methods proposed under |
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Subsections (c)(3) and (4). |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |