By: Puente (Senate Sponsor - Lucio) H.B. No. 2663
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 5, 2003;
May 7, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural
Resources; May 21, 2003, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 10, Nays 0; May 21, 2003, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of quantifiable goals for drought
contingency plans.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 11.1272, Water Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (c), (d), and (e) to read as follows:
(c) By May 1, 2005, a drought contingency plan required by
commission rule adopted under this section must include specific,
quantified targets for water use reductions to be achieved during
periods of water shortages and drought. The entity preparing the
plan shall establish the targets.
(d) The commission and the board by joint rule shall
identify quantified target goals for drought contingency plans that
wholesale and retail public water suppliers, irrigation districts,
and other entities may use as guidelines in preparing drought
contingency plans. Goals established under this subsection are not
enforceable requirements.
(e) The commission and the board jointly shall develop
model drought contingency programs for different types of water
suppliers that suggest best management practices for accomplishing
the highest practicable levels of water use reductions achievable
during periods of water shortages and drought for each specific
type of water supplier.
SECTION 2. 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, 2003.
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