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