80R10857 HLT-D

By: Shapleigh S.B. No. 1762

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 in this state.

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. The board, in consultation with the advisory committee established under Section 3 of this Act, shall conduct a study regarding the possible impact of climate change on surface water supplies in this state. In conducting the study, the board shall obtain 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.

SECTION 3. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The board shall appoint an advisory committee to assist in the study. The advisory committee must include representatives of:

(1) water authorities;

(2) industrial customers;

(3) agricultural interests;

(4) municipalities;

(5) fishing or recreational interests; and

(6) environmental advocacy organizations.

SECTION 4. REPORT. Not later than December 31, 2008, the board shall submit to the legislature a written report regarding the board's findings about the impact of climate change on this state's surface water supplies. The report must include:

(1) a discussion of mitigation, conservation, and other strategies that any state located to the west of this state has employed to offset the impact of climate change on surface water supplies in that state;

(2) recommendations regarding strategies for implementation in this state to mitigate the impact of climate change on surface water supplies; and

(3) a discussion of the impact of climate change on the occurrence of flooding and hurricanes.

SECTION 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ABOLISHED; EXPIRATION OF ACT. The advisory committee is abolished and this Act expires January 1, 2009.

SECTION 6. 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.