By: Puente, Hilderbran H.B. No. 3

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the management of the water resources of the state, including the protection of instream flows and freshwater inflows.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. The heading to Section 5.506, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 5.506. EMERGENCY SUSPENSION OF PERMIT CONDITION RELATING TO, AND EMERGENCY AUTHORITY TO MAKE AVAILABLE WATER SET ASIDE FOR, BENEFICIAL INFLOWS TO AFFECTED BAYS AND ESTUARIES AND INSTREAM USES.

SECTION 2. Section 5.506, Water Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows:

(a-1) State water that is set aside by the commission to meet the needs for freshwater inflows to affected bays and estuaries and instream uses under Section 11.1471(a)(2) may be made available temporarily for other essential beneficial uses if the commission finds that an emergency exists that cannot practically be resolved in another way.

(b) The commission must give written notice of the proposed action [suspension] to the Parks and Wildlife Department before the commission suspends a permit condition under Subsection (a) or makes water available temporarily under Subsection (a-1) [this section]. The commission shall give the Parks and Wildlife Department an opportunity to submit comments on the proposed action [suspension] for a period of 72 hours from receipt of the notice and must consider those comments before issuing an order implementing the proposed action [imposing the suspension].

(c) The commission may suspend a permit condition under Subsection (a) or make water available temporarily under Subsection (a-1) [this section] without notice except as required by Subsection (b).

SECTION 3. Section 5.701(j), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(j) The fee for other uses of water not specifically named in this section is $1 per acre-foot, except that no political subdivision may be required to pay fees to use water for recharge of underground freshwater-bearing sands and aquifers or for abatement of natural pollution. A fee is not required for a water right that is [This fee is waived for applications for instream-use water rights] deposited into the Texas Water Trust.

SECTION 4. Section 11.002, Water Code, is amended by adding Subdivisions (15), (16), (17), (18), and (19) to read as follows:

(15) "Environmental flow analysis" means the application of a scientifically derived process for predicting the response of an ecosystem to changes in instream flows or freshwater inflows.

(16) "Environmental flow regime" means a schedule of flow quantities that reflects seasonal and yearly fluctuations that typically would vary geographically, by specific location in a watershed, and that are shown to be adequate to support a sound ecological environment and to maintain the productivity, extent, and persistence of key aquatic habitats in and along the affected water bodies.

(17) "Environmental flow standards" means those requirements adopted by the commission under Section 11.1471.

(18) "Advisory group" means the environmental flows advisory group.

(19) "Science advisory committee" means the Texas environmental flows science advisory committee.

SECTION 5. Section 11.023(a), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) To the extent that state water has not been set aside by the commission under Section 11.1471(a)(2) to meet downstream instream flow needs or freshwater inflow needs, state [State] water may be appropriated, stored, or diverted for:

(1) domestic and municipal uses, including water for sustaining human life and the life of domestic animals;

(2) agricultural uses and industrial uses, meaning processes designed to convert materials of a lower order of value into forms having greater usability and commercial value, including the development of power by means other than hydroelectric;

(3) mining and recovery of minerals;

(4) hydroelectric power;

(5) navigation;

(6) recreation and pleasure;

(7) public parks; and

(8) game preserves.

SECTION 6. Section 11.0235, Water Code, is amended by amending Subsections (c) and (e) and adding Subsections (d-1) through (d-6) and (f) to read as follows:

(c) The legislature has expressly required the commission while balancing all other public interests to consider and, to the extent practicable, provide for the freshwater inflows and instream flows necessary to maintain the viability of the state's streams, rivers, and bay and estuary systems in the commission's regular granting of permits for the use of state waters. As an essential part of the state's environmental flows policy, all permit conditions relating to freshwater inflows to affected bays and estuaries and instream flow needs must be subject to temporary suspension if necessary for water to be applied to essential beneficial uses during emergencies.

(d-1) The legislature has determined that existing water rights that are converted to water rights for environmental purposes should be enforced in a manner consistent with the enforcement of water rights for other purposes as provided by the laws of this state governing the appropriation of state water.

(d-2) The legislature finds that to provide certainty in water management and development and to provide adequate protection of the state's streams, rivers, and bays and estuaries, the state must have a process with specific timelines for prompt action to address environmental flow issues in the state's major basin and bay systems, especially those systems in which unappropriated water is still available.

(d-3) The legislature finds that:

(1) in those basins in which water is available for appropriation, the commission should establish an environmental set-aside below which water should not be available for appropriation; and

(2) in those basins in which the unappropriated water that will be set aside for instream flow and freshwater inflow protection is not sufficient to fully satisfy the environmental flow standards established by the commission, a variety of market approaches, both public and private, for filling the gap must be explored and pursued.

(d-4) The legislature finds that while the state has pioneered tools to address freshwater inflow needs for bays and estuaries, there are limitations to those tools in light of both scientific and public policy evolution. To fully address bay and estuary environmental flow issues, the foundation of work accomplished by the state should be improved. While the state's instream flow studies program appears to encompass a comprehensive and scientific approach for establishing a process to assess instream flow needs for rivers and streams across the state, more extensive review and examination of the details of the program, which may not be fully developed until the program is under way, are needed to ensure an effective tool for evaluating riverine environmental flow conditions.

(d-5) The legislature finds that the management of water to meet instream flow and freshwater inflow needs should be evaluated on a regular basis and adapted to reflect both improvements in science related to environmental flows and future changes in projected human needs for water. In addition, the development of management strategies for addressing environmental flow needs should be an ongoing, adaptive process that considers and addresses local issues.

(d-6) The legislature finds that recommendations for state action to protect instream flows and freshwater inflows should be developed through a consensus-based, regional approach involving balanced representation of stakeholders and that such a process should be encouraged throughout the state.

(e) The fact that greater pressures and demands are being placed on the water resources of the state makes it of paramount importance to ensure [reexamine the process for ensuring] that these important priorities are effectively addressed by detailing how environmental flow standards are to be developed using the environmental studies that have been and are to be performed by the state and others and specifying in clear delegations of authority how those environmental flow standards will be integrated into the regional water planning and water permitting process [to the commission].

(f) The legislature recognizes that effective implementation of the approach provided by this chapter for protecting instream flows and freshwater inflows will require more effective water rights administration and enforcement systems than are currently available in most areas of the state.

SECTION 7. Subchapter B, Chapter 11, Water Code, is amended by adding Sections 11.0236, 11.02361, 11.02362, and 11.0237 to read as follows:

Sec. 11.0236. ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS ADVISORY GROUP. (a) In recognition of the importance that the ecological soundness of our riverine, bay, and estuary systems and riparian lands has on the economy, health, and well-being of the state there is created the environmental flows advisory group.

(b) The advisory group is composed of nine members as follows:

(1) three members appointed by the governor;

(2) three members of the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor; and

(3) three members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(c) Of the members appointed under Subsection (b)(1):

(1) one member must be a member of the commission;

(2) one member must be a member of the board; and

(3) one member must be a member of the Parks and Wildlife Commission.

(d) Each member of the advisory group serves at the will of the person who appointed the member.

(e) The appointed senator with the most seniority and the appointed house member with the most seniority serve together as co-presiding officers of the advisory group.

(f) A member of the advisory group is not entitled to receive compensation for service on the advisory group but is entitled to reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the advisory group, as provided by the General Appropriations Act.

(g) The advisory group may accept gifts and grants from any source to be used to carry out a function of the advisory group.

(h) The commission shall provide staff support for the advisory group.

(i) The advisory group shall conduct public hearings and study public policy implications for balancing the demands on the water resources of the state resulting from a growing population with the requirements of the riverine, bay, and estuary systems including granting permits for instream flows dedicated to environmental needs or bay and estuary inflows, use of the Texas Water Trust, and any other issues that the advisory group determines have importance and relevance to the protection of environmental flows. In evaluating the options for providing adequate environmental flows, the advisory group shall take notice of the strong public policy imperative that exists in this state recognizing that environmental flows are important to the biological health of our public and private lands, streams and rivers, and bay and estuary systems and are high priorities in the water management process. The advisory group shall specifically address:

(1) ways that the ecological soundness of those systems will be ensured in the water rights administration and enforcement and water allocation processes; and

(2) appropriate methods to encourage persons voluntarily to convert reasonable amounts of existing water rights to use for environmental flow protection temporarily or permanently.

(j) The advisory group may adopt rules, procedures, and policies as needed to administer this section, to implement its responsibilities, and to exercise its authority under Sections 11.02361 and 11.02362.

(k) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of the advisory group.

(l) Not later than December 1, 2008, and every two years thereafter, the advisory group shall issue and promptly deliver to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives copies of a report summarizing:

(1) any hearings conducted by the advisory group;

(2) any studies conducted by the advisory group;

(3) any legislation proposed by the advisory group;

(4) progress made in implementing Sections 11.02361 and 11.02362; and

(5) any other findings and recommendations of the advisory group.

(m) The advisory group is abolished on the date that the commission has adopted environmental flow standards under Section 11.1471 for all of the river basin and bay systems in this state.

Sec. 11.02361. TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The Texas environmental flows science advisory committee consists of at least five but not more than nine members appointed by the advisory group.

(b) The advisory group shall appoint to the science advisory committee persons who will provide an objective perspective and diverse technical expertise, including expertise in hydrology, hydraulics, water resources, aquatic and terrestrial biology, geomorphology, geology, water quality, computer modeling, and other technical areas pertinent to the evaluation of environmental flows.

(c) Members of the science advisory committee serve five-year terms expiring March 1. A vacancy on the science advisory committee is filled by appointment by the co-presiding officers of the advisory group for the unexpired term.

(d) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of the science advisory committee.

(e) The science advisory committee shall:

(1) serve as an objective scientific body to advise and make recommendations to the advisory group on issues relating to the science of environmental flow protection; and

(2) develop recommendations to help provide overall direction, coordination, and consistency relating to:

(A) environmental flow methodologies for bay and estuary studies and instream flow studies;

(B) environmental flow programs at the commission, the Parks and Wildlife Department, and the board; and

(C) the work of the basin and bay expert science teams described in Section 11.02362.

(f) To assist the advisory group to assess the extent to which the recommendations of the science advisory committee are considered and implemented, the commission, the Parks and Wildlife Department, and the board shall provide written reports to the advisory group, at intervals determined by the advisory group, that describe:

(1) the actions taken by each agency in response to each recommendation; and

(2) for each recommendation not implemented, the reason it was not implemented.

(g) The science advisory committee is abolished on the date the advisory group is abolished under Section 11.0236(m).

Sec. 11.02362. DEVELOPMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW REGIME RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) For the purposes of this section, the advisory group, not later than November 1, 2007, shall define the geographical extent of each river basin and bay system in this state for the sole purpose of developing environmental flow regime recommendations under this section and adoption of environmental flow standards under Section 11.1471.

(b) The advisory group shall give priority in descending order to the following river basin and bay systems of the state for the purpose of developing environmental flow regime recommendations and adopting environmental flow standards:

(1) the river basin and bay system consisting of the Trinity and San Jacinto Rivers and Galveston Bay and the river basin and bay system consisting of the Sabine and Neches Rivers and Sabine Lake Bay;

(2) the river basin and bay system consisting of the Colorado and Lavaca Rivers and Matagorda and Lavaca Bays and the river basin and bay system consisting of the Guadalupe, San Antonio, Mission, and Aransas Rivers and Mission, Copano, Aransas, and San Antonio Bays; and

(3) the river basin and bay system consisting of the Nueces River and Corpus Christi and Baffin Bays, the river basin and bay system consisting of the Rio Grande, the Rio Grande estuary, and the Lower Laguna Madre, and the Brazos River and its associated bay and estuary system.

(c) For the river basin and bay systems listed in Subsection (b)(1):

(1) the advisory group shall appoint the basin and bay area stakeholders committee not later than November 1, 2007;

(2) the basin and bay area stakeholders committee shall establish a basin and bay expert science team not later than March 1, 2008;

(3) the basin and bay expert science team shall finalize environmental flow regime recommendations and submit them to the basin and bay area stakeholders committee, the advisory group, and the commission not later than March 1, 2009, except that at the request of the basin and bay area stakeholders committee for good cause shown, the advisory group may extend the deadline provided by this subdivision;

(4) the basin and bay area stakeholders committee shall submit to the commission its comments on and recommendations regarding the basin and bay expert science team's recommended environmental flow regime not later than September 1, 2009; and

(5) the commission shall adopt the environmental flow standards as provided by Section 11.1471 not later than September 1, 2010.

(d) The advisory group shall appoint the basin and bay area stakeholders committees for the river basin and bay systems listed in Subsection (b)(2) not later than September 1, 2008, and shall appoint the basin and bay area stakeholders committees for the river basin and bay systems listed in Subsection (b)(3) not later than September 1, 2009. The advisory group shall establish a schedule for the performance of the tasks listed in Subsections (c)(2) through (5) with regard to the river basin and bay systems listed in Subsections (b)(2) and (3) that will result in the adoption of environmental flow standards for that river basin and bay system by the commission as soon as is reasonably possible. Each basin and bay area stakeholders committee and basin and bay expert science team for a river basin and bay system listed in Subsection (b)(2) or (3) shall make recommendations to the advisory group with regard to the schedule applicable to that river basin and bay system. The advisory group shall consider the recommendations of the basin and bay area stakeholders committee and basin and bay expert science team as well as coordinate with, and give appropriate consideration to the recommendations of, the commission, the Parks and Wildlife Department, and the board in establishing the schedule.

(e) For a river basin and bay system or a river basin that does not have an associated bay system in this state not listed in Subsection (b), the advisory group shall establish a schedule for the development of environmental flow regime recommendations and the adoption of environmental flow standards. The advisory group shall develop the schedule in consultation with the commission, the Parks and Wildlife Department, the board, and the pertinent basin and bay area stakeholders committee and basin and bay expert science team. The advisory group may, on its own initiative or on request, modify a schedule established under this subsection to be more responsive to particular circumstances, local desires, changing conditions, or time-sensitive conflicts. This subsection does not prohibit, in a river basin and bay system for which the advisory group has not yet established a schedule for the development of environmental flow regime recommendations and the adoption of environmental flow standards, an effort to develop information on environmental flow needs and ways in which those needs can be met by a voluntary consensus-building process.

(f) The advisory group shall appoint a basin and bay area stakeholders committee for each river basin and bay system in this state for which a schedule for the development of environmental flow regime recommendations and the adoption of environmental flow standards is specified by or established under Subsection (c), (d), or (e). Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of a basin and bay area stakeholders committee. Each committee must consist of at least 17 members. The membership of each committee must:

(1) reflect a fair and equitable balance of interest groups concerned with the particular river basin and bay system for which the committee is established; and

(2) be representative of appropriate stakeholders, including the following if they have a presence in the particular river basin and bay system for which the committee is established:

(A) agricultural water users;

(B) recreational water users, including coastal recreational anglers and businesses supporting water recreation;

(C) municipalities;

(D) soil and water conservation districts;

(E) industrial water users, including representatives of each of the following sectors:

(i) refining;

(ii) chemical manufacturing;

(iii) electricity generation; and

(iv) production of paper products or timber;

(F) commercial fishermen;

(G) public interest groups;

(H) regional water planning groups;

(I) groundwater conservation districts;

(J) river authorities and other conservation and reclamation districts with jurisdiction over surface water; and

(K) environmental interests.

(g) Members of a basin and bay area stakeholders committee serve five-year terms expiring March 1. If a vacancy occurs on a committee, the remaining members of the committee by majority vote shall appoint a member to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

(h) Meetings of a basin and bay area stakeholders committee must be open to the public.

(i) Each basin and bay area stakeholders committee shall establish a basin and bay expert science team for the river basin and bay system for which the committee is established. The basin and bay expert science team must be established not later than six months after the date the basin and bay area stakeholders committee is established. Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of a basin and bay expert science team. Each basin and bay expert science team must be composed of technical experts with special expertise regarding the river basin and bay system or regarding the development of environmental flow regimes. A person may serve as a member of more than one basin and bay expert science team at the same time.

(j) The members of a basin and bay expert science team serve five-year terms expiring April 1. A vacancy on a basin and bay expert science team is filled by appointment by the pertinent basin and bay area stakeholders committee to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

(k) The science advisory committee shall appoint one of its members to serve as a liaison to each basin and bay expert science team to facilitate coordination and consistency in environmental flow activities throughout the state. The commission, the Parks and Wildlife Department, and the board shall provide technical assistance to each basin and bay expert science team, including information about the studies conducted under Sections 16.058 and 16.059, and may serve as nonvoting members of the basin and bay expert science team to facilitate the development of environmental flow regime recommendations.

(l) Where reasonably practicable, meetings of a basin and bay expert science team must be open to the public.

(m) Each basin and bay expert science team shall develop environmental flow analyses and a recommended environmental flow regime for the river basin and bay system for which the team is established through a collaborative process designed to achieve a consensus. In developing the analyses and recommendations, the science team must consider all reasonably available science, without regard to the need for the water for other uses, and the science team's recommendations must be based solely on the best science available. For the Rio Grande below Fort Quitman, any uses attributable to Mexican water flows must be excluded from environmental flow regime recommendations.

(n) Each basin and bay expert science team shall submit its environmental flow analyses and environmental flow regime recommendations to the pertinent basin and bay area stakeholders committee, the advisory group, and the commission in accordance with the applicable schedule specified by or established under Subsection (c), (d), or (e). The basin and bay area stakeholders committee and the advisory group may not change the environmental flow analyses or environmental flow regime recommendations of the basin and bay expert science team.

(o) Each basin and bay area stakeholders committee shall review the environmental flow analyses and environmental flow regime recommendations submitted by the committee's basin and bay expert science team and shall consider them in conjunction with other factors, including the present and future needs for water for other uses related to water supply planning in the pertinent river basin and bay system. For the Rio Grande, the basin and bay area stakeholders committee shall also consider the water accounting requirements for any international water sharing treaty, minutes, and agreement applicable to the Rio Grande and the effects on allocation of water by the Rio Grande watermaster in the middle and lower Rio Grande. The Rio Grande basin and bay expert science team may not recommend any environmental flow regime that would result in a violation of a treaty or court decision. The basin and bay area stakeholders committee shall develop recommendations regarding environmental flow standards and strategies to meet the environmental flow standards and submit those recommendations to the commission and to the advisory group in accordance with the applicable schedule specified by or established under Subsection (c), (d), or (e). In developing its recommendations, the basin and bay area stakeholders committee shall operate on a consensus basis to the maximum extent possible.

(p) In recognition of the importance of adaptive management, after submitting its recommendations regarding environmental flow standards and strategies to meet the environmental flow standards to the commission, each basin and bay area stakeholders committee, with the assistance of the pertinent basin and bay expert science team, shall prepare and submit for approval by the advisory group a work plan. The work plan must:

(1) establish a periodic review of the basin and bay environmental flow analyses and environmental flow regime recommendations, environmental flow standards, and strategies, to occur at least once every 10 years;

(2) prescribe specific monitoring, studies, and activities; and

(3) establish a schedule for continuing the validation or refinement of the basin and bay environmental flow analyses and environmental flow regime recommendations, the environmental flow standards adopted by the commission, and the strategies to achieve those standards.

(q) In accordance with the applicable schedule specified by or established under Subsection (c), (d), or (e), the advisory group, with input from the science advisory committee, shall review the environmental flow analyses and environmental flow regime recommendations submitted by each basin and bay expert science team. If appropriate, the advisory group shall submit comments on the analyses and recommendations to the commission for use by the commission in adopting rules under Section 11.1471. Comments must be submitted not later than six months after the date of receipt of the analyses and recommendations.

(r) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, in the event the commission, by permit or order, has established an estuary advisory council with specific duties related to implementation of permit conditions for environmental flows, that council may continue in full force and effect and shall act as and perform the duties of the basin and bay area stakeholders committee under this section. The estuary advisory council shall add members from stakeholder groups and from appropriate science and technical groups, if necessary, to fully meet the criteria for membership established in Subsection (f) and shall operate under the provisions of this section.

(s) Each basin and bay area stakeholders committee and basin and bay expert science team is abolished on the date the advisory group is abolished under Section 11.0236(m).

Sec. 11.0237. WATER RIGHTS FOR INSTREAM FLOWS DEDICATED TO ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS OR BAY AND ESTUARY INFLOWS. (a) The commission may not issue a new permit for instream flows dedicated to environmental needs or bay and estuary inflows. The commission may approve an application to amend an existing permit or certificate of adjudication to change the use to or add a use for instream flows dedicated to environmental needs or bay and estuary inflows.

(b) This section does not alter the commission's obligations under Section 11.042(b) or (c), 11.046(b), 11.085(k)(2)(F), 11.134(b)(3)(D), 11.147, 11.1471, 11.1491, 11.150, 11.152, 16.058, or 16.059.

SECTION 8. Section 11.082(b), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The state may recover the penalties prescribed in Subsection (a) [of this section] by suit brought for that purpose in a court of competent jurisdiction. The state may seek those penalties regardless of whether a watermaster has been appointed for the water division, river basin, or segment of a river basin where the unlawful use is alleged to have occurred.

SECTION 9. Section 11.0841, Water Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:

(c) For purposes of this section, the Parks and Wildlife Department has:

(1) the rights of a holder of a water right that is held in the Texas Water Trust, including the right to file suit in a civil court to prevent the unlawful use of such a right;

(2) the right to act in the same manner that a holder of a water right may act to protect the holder's rights in seeking to prevent any person from appropriating water in violation of a set-aside established by the commission under Section 11.1471 to meet instream flow needs or freshwater inflow needs; and

(3) the right to file suit in a civil court to prevent the unlawful use of a set-aside established under Section 11.1471.

SECTION 10. Section 11.0842(a), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) If a person violates this chapter, a rule or order adopted under this chapter or Section 16.236 [of this code], or a permit, certified filing, or certificate of adjudication issued under this chapter, the commission may assess an administrative penalty against that person as provided by this section. The commission may assess an administrative penalty for a violation relating to a water division or a river basin or segment of a river basin regardless of whether a watermaster has been appointed for the water division or river basin or segment of the river basin.

SECTION 11. Section 11.0843(a), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) Upon witnessing a violation of this chapter or a rule or order or a water right issued under this chapter, the executive director or a person designated by the executive director, including a watermaster or the watermaster's deputy, [as defined by commission rule,] may issue the alleged violator a field citation alleging that a violation has occurred and providing the alleged violator the option of either:

(1) without admitting to or denying the alleged violation, paying an administrative penalty in accordance with the predetermined penalty amount established under Subsection (b) [of this section] and taking remedial action as provided in the citation; or

(2) requesting a hearing on the alleged violation in accordance with Section 11.0842 [of this code].

SECTION 12. Section 11.134(b), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The commission shall grant the application only if:

(1) the application conforms to the requirements prescribed by this chapter and is accompanied by the prescribed fee;

(2) unappropriated water is available in the source of supply;

(3) the proposed appropriation:

(A) is intended for a beneficial use;

(B) does not impair existing water rights or vested riparian rights;

(C) is not detrimental to the public welfare;

(D) considers any applicable environmental flow standards established under Section 11.1471 and, if applicable, the assessments performed under Sections 11.147(d) and (e) and Sections 11.150, 11.151, and 11.152; and

(E) addresses a water supply need in a manner that is consistent with the state water plan and the relevant approved regional water plan for any area in which the proposed appropriation is located, unless the commission determines that conditions warrant waiver of this requirement; and

(4) the applicant has provided evidence that reasonable diligence will be used to avoid waste and achieve water conservation as defined by [Subdivision (8)(B),] Section 11.002(8)(B) [11.002].

SECTION 13. Section 11.147, Water Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b), (d), and (e) and adding Subsections (e-1), (e-2), and (e-3) to read as follows:

(b) In its consideration of an application for a permit to store, take, or divert water, the commission shall assess the effects, if any, of the issuance of the permit on the bays and estuaries of Texas. For permits issued within an area that is 200 river miles of the coast, to commence from the mouth of the river thence inland, the commission shall include in the permit any conditions considered necessary to maintain beneficial inflows to any affected bay and estuary system, to the extent practicable when considering all public interests and the studies mandated by Section 16.058 as evaluated under Section 11.1491[, those conditions considered necessary to maintain beneficial inflows to any affected bay and estuary system].

(d) In its consideration of an application to store, take, or divert water, the commission shall include in the permit, to the extent practicable when considering all public interests, those conditions considered by the commission necessary to maintain existing instream uses and water quality of the stream or river to which the application applies. In determining what conditions to include in the permit under this subsection, the commission shall consider among other factors:

(1) the studies mandated by Section 16.059; and

(2) any water quality assessment performed under Section 11.150.

(e) The commission shall include in the permit, to the extent practicable when considering all public interests, those conditions considered by the commission necessary to maintain fish and wildlife habitats. In determining what conditions to include in the permit under this subsection, the commission shall consider any assessment performed under Section 11.152.

(e-1) Any permit for a new appropriation of water or an amendment to an existing water right that increases the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted must include a provision allowing the commission to adjust the conditions included in the permit or amended water right to provide for protection of instream flows or freshwater inflows. With respect to an amended water right, the provision may not allow the commission to adjust a condition of the amendment other than a condition that applies only to the increase in the amount of water to be stored, taken, or diverted authorized by the amendment. This subsection does not affect an appropriation of or an authorization to store, take, or divert water under a permit or amendment to a water right issued before September 1, 2007. The commission shall adjust the conditions if the commission determines, through an expedited public comment process, that such an adjustment is appropriate to achieve compliance with applicable environmental flow standards adopted under Section 11.1471. The adjustment:

(1) in combination with any previous adjustments made under this subsection may not increase the amount of the pass-through or release requirement for the protection of instream flows or freshwater inflows by more than 12.5 percent of the annualized total of that requirement contained in the permit as issued or of that requirement contained in the amended water right and applicable only to the increase in the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted under the amended water right;

(2) must be based on appropriate consideration of the priority dates and diversion locations of any other water rights granted in the same river basin that are subject to adjustment under this subsection; and

(3) must be based on appropriate consideration of any voluntary contributions to the Texas Water Trust, and of any voluntary amendments to existing water rights to change the use of a specified quantity of water to or add a use of a specified quantity of water for instream flows dedicated to environmental needs or bay and estuary inflows as authorized by Section 11.0237(a), that actually contribute toward meeting the applicable environmental flow standards.

(e-2) Any water right holder who makes a contribution or amends a water right as described by Subsection (e-1)(3) is entitled to appropriate credit for the benefits of the contribution or amendment against the adjustment of the holder's water right under Subsection (e-1).

(e-3) Notwithstanding Subsections (b)-(e), for the purpose of determining the environmental flow conditions necessary to maintain freshwater inflows to an affected bay and estuary system, existing instream uses and water quality of a stream or river, or fish and aquatic wildlife habitats, the commission shall apply any applicable environmental flow standard, including any environmental flow set-aside, adopted under Section 11.1471 instead of considering the factors specified by those subsections.

SECTION 14. Subchapter D, Chapter 11, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 11.1471 to read as follows:

Sec. 11.1471. ENVIRONMENTAL FLOW STANDARDS AND SET-ASIDES. (a) The commission by rule shall:

(1) adopt appropriate environmental flow standards for each river basin and bay system in this state that are adequate to support a sound ecological environment, to the maximum extent reasonable considering other public interests and other relevant factors;

(2) establish an amount of unappropriated water, if available, to be set aside to satisfy the environmental flow standards to the maximum extent reasonable when considering human water needs; and

(3) establish procedures for implementing an adjustment of the conditions included in a permit or an amended water right as provided by Sections 11.147(e-1) and (e-2).

(b) In adopting environmental flow standards for a river basin and bay system under Subsection (a)(1), the commission shall consider:

(1) the definition of the geographical extent of the river basin and bay system adopted by the advisory group under Section 11.02362(a) and the definition and designation of the river basin by the board under Section 16.051(c);

(2) the schedule established by the advisory group under Section 11.02362(d) or (e) for the adoption of environmental flow standards for the river basin and bay system, if applicable;

(3) the environmental flow analyses and the recommended environmental flow regime developed by the applicable basin and bay expert science team under Section 11.02362(m);

(4) the recommendations developed by the applicable basin and bay area stakeholders committee under Section 11.02362(o) regarding environmental flow standards and strategies to meet the flow standards;

(5) any comments submitted by the advisory group to the commission under Section 11.02362(q);

(6) the specific characteristics of the river basin and bay system;

(7) economic factors;

(8) the human and other competing water needs in the river basin and bay system;

(9) all reasonably available scientific information, including any scientific information provided by the science advisory committee; and

(10) any other appropriate information.

(c) Environmental flow standards adopted under Subsection (a)(1) must consist of a schedule of flow quantities, reflecting seasonal and yearly fluctuations that may vary geographically by specific location in a river basin and bay system.

(d) As provided by Section 11.023, the commission may not issue a permit for a new appropriation or an amendment to an existing water right that increases the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted if the issuance of the permit or amendment would impair an environmental flow set-aside established under Subsection (a)(2). A permit for a new appropriation or an amendment to an existing water right that increases the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted that is issued after the adoption of an applicable environmental flow set-aside must contain appropriate conditions to ensure protection of the environmental flow set-aside.

(e) An environmental flow set-aside established under Subsection (a)(2) for a river basin and bay system other than the middle and lower Rio Grande must be assigned a priority date corresponding to the date the commission receives environmental flow regime recommendations from the applicable basin and bay expert science team and be included in the appropriate water availability models in connection with an application for a permit for a new appropriation or for an amendment to an existing water right that increases the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted.

(f) An environmental flow standard or environmental flow set-aside adopted under Subsection (a) may be altered by the commission in a rulemaking process undertaken in accordance with a schedule established by the commission. In establishing a schedule, the commission shall consider the applicable work plan approved by the advisory group under Section 11.02362(p). The commission's schedule may not provide for the rulemaking process to occur more frequently than once every 10 years unless the work plan provides for a periodic review under Section 11.02362(p) to occur more frequently than once every 10 years. In that event, the commission may provide for the rulemaking process to be undertaken in conjunction with the periodic review if the commission determines that schedule to be appropriate. A rulemaking process undertaken under this subsection must provide for the participation of stakeholders having interests in the particular river basin and bay system for which the process is undertaken.

SECTION 15. The heading to Section 11.148, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 11.148. EMERGENCY SUSPENSION OF PERMIT CONDITIONS AND EMERGENCY AUTHORITY TO MAKE AVAILABLE WATER SET ASIDE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS.

SECTION 16. Section 11.148, Water Code, is amended by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsections (b) and (c) to read as follows:

(a-1) State water that is set aside by the commission to meet the needs for freshwater inflows to affected bays and estuaries and instream uses under Section 11.1471(a)(2) may be made available temporarily for other essential beneficial uses if the commission finds that an emergency exists that cannot practically be resolved in another way.

(b) Before the commission suspends a permit condition under Subsection (a) or makes water available temporarily under Subsection (a-1) [of this section], it must give written notice to the Parks and Wildlife Department of the proposed action [suspension]. The commission shall give the Parks and Wildlife Department an opportunity to submit comments on the proposed action [suspension] within 72 hours from such time and the commission shall consider those comments before issuing its order implementing the proposed action [imposing the suspension].

(c) The commission may suspend the permit condition under Subsection (a) or make water available temporarily under Subsection (a-1) without notice to any other interested party other than the Parks and Wildlife Department as provided by Subsection (b) [of this section]. However, all affected persons shall be notified immediately by publication, and a hearing to determine whether the suspension should be continued shall be held within 15 days of the date on which the order to suspend is issued.

SECTION 17. Section 11.1491(a), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The Parks and Wildlife Department and the commission shall have joint responsibility to review the studies prepared under Section 16.058 [of this code], to determine inflow conditions necessary for the bays and estuaries, and to provide information necessary for water resources management. Each agency shall designate an employee to share equally in the oversight of the program. Other responsibilities shall be divided between the Parks and Wildlife Department and the commission to maximize present in-house capabilities of personnel and to minimize costs to the state. Each agency shall have reasonable access to all information produced by the other agency. Publication of reports completed under this section shall be submitted for comment to [both] the commission, [and] the Parks and Wildlife Department, the advisory group, the science advisory committee, and any applicable basin and bay area stakeholders committee and basin and bay expert science team.

SECTION 18. Section 11.329(g), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(g) The commission may not assess costs under this section against a holder of a non-priority hydroelectric right that owns or operates privately owned facilities that collectively have a capacity of less than two megawatts or against a holder of a water right placed in the Texas Water Trust for a term of at least 20 years. [This subsection is not intended to affect in any way the fees assessed on a water right holder by the commission under Section 1.29(d), Chapter 626, Acts of the 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1993. For purposes of Section 1.29(d), Chapter 626, Acts of the 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1993, a holder of a non-priority hydroelectric right that owns or operates privately owned facilities that collectively have a capacity of less than two megawatts shall be assessed fees at the same rate per acre-foot charged to a holder of a non-priority hydroelectric right that owns or operates privately owned facilities that collectively have a capacity of more than two megawatts.]

SECTION 19. Section 11.404(e), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(e) The court may not assess costs and expenses under this section against:

(1) a holder of a non-priority hydroelectric right that owns or operates privately owned facilities that collectively have a capacity of less than two megawatts; or

(2) a holder of a water right placed in the Texas Water Trust for a term of at least 20 years.

SECTION 20. Subchapter I, Chapter 11, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 11.4531 to read as follows:

Sec. 11.4531. WATERMASTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) For each river basin or segment of a river basin for which the executive director appoints a watermaster under this subchapter, the executive director shall appoint a watermaster advisory committee consisting of at least nine but not more than 15 members. A member of the advisory committee must be a holder of a water right or a representative of a holder of a water right in the river basin or segment of the river basin for which the watermaster is appointed. In appointing members to the advisory committee, the executive director shall consider:

(1) geographic representation;

(2) amount of water rights held;

(3) different types of holders of water rights and users, including water districts, municipal suppliers, irrigators, and industrial users; and

(4) experience and knowledge of water management practices.

(b) An advisory committee member is not entitled to reimbursement of expenses or to compensation.

(c) An advisory committee member serves a two-year term expiring August 31 of each odd-numbered year and holds office until a successor is appointed.

(d) The advisory committee shall meet within 30 days after the date the initial appointments have been made and shall select a presiding officer to serve a one-year term. The committee shall meet regularly as necessary.

(e) The advisory committee shall:

(1) make recommendations to the executive director regarding activities of benefit to the holders of water rights in the administration and distribution of water to holders of water rights in the river basin or segment of the river basin for which the watermaster is appointed;

(2) review and comment to the executive director on the annual budget of the watermaster operation; and

(3) perform other advisory duties as requested by the executive director regarding the watermaster operation or as requested by holders of water rights and considered by the committee to benefit the administration of water rights in the river basin or segment of the river basin for which the watermaster is appointed.

SECTION 21. Sections 11.454 and 11.455, Water Code, are amended to read as follows:

Sec. 11.454. DUTIES AND AUTHORITY OF THE WATERMASTER. Section 11.327 applies to the duties and authority of a watermaster appointed for a river basin or segment of a river basin under this subchapter in the same manner as that section applies to the duties and authority of a watermaster appointed for a water division under Subchapter G [A watermaster as the agent of the commission and under the executive director's supervision shall:

[(1) divide the water of the streams or other sources of supply of his segment or basin in accordance with the authorized water rights;

[(2) regulate or cause to be regulated the controlling works of reservoirs and diversion works in time of water shortage, as is necessary because of the rights existing in the streams of his segment or basin, or as is necessary to prevent the waste of water or its diversion, taking, storage, or use in excess of the quantities to which the holders of water rights are lawfully entitled; and

[(3) perform any other duties and exercise any authority directed by the commission].

Sec. 11.455. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF WATERMASTER [ASSESSMENTS]. (a) Section 11.329 applies to the payment of the compensation and expenses of a watermaster appointed for a river basin or segment of a river basin under this subchapter in the same manner as that section applies to the payment of the compensation and expenses of a watermaster appointed for a water division under Subchapter G.

(b) The executive director shall deposit the assessments collected under this section to the credit of the watermaster fund.

(c) Money deposited under this section to the credit of the watermaster fund may be used only for the purposes specified by Section 11.3291 with regard to the watermaster operation under this subchapter with regard to which the assessments were collected [The commission may assess the costs of the watermaster against all persons who hold water rights in the river basin or segment of the river basin under the watermaster's jurisdiction in accordance with Section 11.329 of this code].

SECTION 22. Subchapter F, Chapter 15, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 15.4063 to read as follows:

Sec. 15.4063. ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS FUNDING. The board may authorize the use of money in the research and planning fund:

(1) to compensate the members of the Texas environmental flows science advisory committee established under Section 11.02361 for attendance and participation at meetings of the committee and for transportation, meals, lodging, or other travel expenses associated with attendance at those meetings as provided by the General Appropriations Act;

(2) for contracts with cooperating state and federal agencies and universities and with private entities as necessary to provide technical assistance to enable the Texas environmental flows science advisory committee and the basin and bay expert science teams established under Section 11.02362 to perform their statutory duties;

(3) to compensate the members of the basin and bay expert science teams established under Section 11.02362 for attendance and participation at meetings of the basin and bay expert science teams and for transportation, meals, lodging, or other travel expenses associated with attendance at those meetings as provided by the General Appropriations Act; and

(4) for contracts with political subdivisions designated as representatives of basin and bay area stakeholders committees established under Section 11.02362 to fund all or part of the administrative expenses incurred in conducting meetings of the basin and bay area stakeholders committees or the pertinent basin and bay expert science teams.

SECTION 23. Section 16.059(d), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(d) The priority studies shall be completed not later than December 31, 2016 [2010]. The Parks and Wildlife Department, the commission, and the board shall establish a work plan that prioritizes the studies and that sets interim deadlines providing for publication of flow determinations for individual rivers and streams on a reasonably consistent basis throughout the prescribed study period. Before publication, completed studies shall be submitted for comment to the commission, the board, and the Parks and Wildlife Department.

SECTION 24. Section 26.0135(h), Water Code, as amended by Chapters 234 and 965, Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, is reenacted and amended to read as follows:

(h) The commission shall apportion, assess, and recover the reasonable costs of administering the water quality management programs under this section from users of water and wastewater permit holders in the watershed according to the records of the commission generally in proportion to their right, through permit or contract, to use water from and discharge wastewater in the watershed. Irrigation water rights, [and] non-priority hydroelectric rights of a water right holder that owns or operates privately owned facilities that collectively have a capacity of less than two megawatts, and water rights held in the Texas Water Trust for terms of at least 20 years will not be subject to this assessment. The cost to river authorities and others to conduct water quality monitoring and assessment shall be subject to prior review and approval by the commission as to methods of allocation and total amount to be recovered. The commission shall adopt rules to supervise and implement the water quality monitoring, assessment, and associated costs. The rules shall ensure that water users and wastewater dischargers do not pay excessive amounts, that program funds are equitably apportioned among basins, that a river authority may recover no more than the actual costs of administering the water quality management programs called for in this section, and that no municipality shall be assessed cost for any efforts that duplicate water quality management activities described in Section 26.177 [of this chapter]. The rules concerning the apportionment and assessment of reasonable costs shall provide for a recovery of not more than $5,000,000 annually. Costs recovered by the commission are to be deposited to the credit of the water resource management account and may be used only to accomplish the purposes of this section. The commission may apply not more than 10 percent of the costs recovered annually toward the commission's overhead costs for the administration of this section and the implementation of regional water quality assessments. The commission, with the assistance and input of each river authority, shall file a written report accounting for the costs recovered under this section with the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives on or before December 1 of each even-numbered year.

SECTION 25. Section 11.1491(b), Water Code, is repealed.

SECTION 26. (a) The governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the initial members of the environmental flows advisory group as provided by Section 11.0236, Water Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable on or after the effective date of this Act.

(b) As soon as practicable after taking office, the initial members of the environmental flows advisory group shall appoint the initial members of the Texas environmental flows science advisory committee as provided by Section 11.02361, Water Code, as added by this Act. The terms of the initial members of the committee expire March 1, 2012.

(c) The environmental flows advisory group shall appoint the members of each basin and bay area stakeholders committee as provided by Section 11.02362, Water Code, as added by this Act. The terms of the initial members of each committee expire March 1 of the fifth year that begins after the year in which the initial appointments are made.

(d) Each basin and bay area stakeholders committee shall appoint the members of the basin and bay expert science team for the river basin and bay system for which the committee is established as provided by Section 11.02362, Water Code, as added by this Act. The terms of the initial members of each team expire April 1 of the fifth year that begins after the year in which the initial appointments are made.

(e) The executive director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality shall appoint the members of the watermaster advisory committee under Section 11.4531, Water Code, as added by this Act, for each river basin or segment of a river basin for which the executive director appoints a watermaster under Subchapter I, Chapter 11, Water Code. The terms of the initial members of each committee expire August 31 of the first odd-numbered year that begins after the year in which the initial appointments are made.

SECTION 27. The changes in law made by this Act relating to a permit for a new appropriation of water or to an amendment to an existing water right that increases the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted apply only to:

(1) water appropriated under a permit for a new appropriation of water the application for which is pending with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on the effective date of this Act or is filed with the commission on or after that date; or

(2) the increase in the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted under an amendment to an existing water right that increases the amount of water authorized to be stored, taken, or diverted and the application for which is pending with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on the effective date of this Act or is filed with the commission on or after that date.

SECTION 28. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.