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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board regarding |
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the impact of climate change on surface water supplies from the |
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portion of the Rio Grande in Texas subject to the Rio Grande |
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Compact. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "board" means the Texas |
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Water Development Board. |
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SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) The board, in coordination with the |
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Far West Texas Regional Water Planning Group established pursuant |
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to Section 16.053, Water Code, shall conduct a study regarding the |
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possible impact of climate change on surface water supplies from |
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the Rio Grande. |
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(b) In conducting the study, the board shall convene a |
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conference within the Far West Texas regional water planning area |
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designated pursuant to Section 16.053, Water Code, to review: |
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(1) any analysis conducted by a state located to the |
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west of this state regarding the impact of climate change on surface |
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water supplies in that state; |
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(2) any other current analysis of potential impacts of |
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climate change on surface water resources; and |
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(3) recommendations for incorporation of potential |
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impacts of climate change into the Far West Texas Regional Water |
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Plan, including potential impacts to the Rio Grande in Texas |
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subject to the Rio Grande Compact and identification of feasible |
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water management strategies to offset any potential impacts. |
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(c) The conference should include, but not be limited to, |
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the participation of representatives of: |
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(1) the Far West Texas Regional Water Planning Group; |
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(2) water authorities; |
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(3) industrial customers; |
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(4) agricultural interests; |
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(5) municipalities; |
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(6) fishing or recreational interests; |
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(7) environmental advocacy organizations; and |
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(8) institutions of higher education. |
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SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2008, the |
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board shall submit to the legislature a written report regarding |
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the study findings under Section 2 of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |