By: Shapleigh, Watson S.B. No. 1405

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to assist the Texas Water Development Board in incorporating the potential effects of climate variability into the state water plan.

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

SECTION 1. CREATION, PURPOSE, AND COMPOSITION OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board shall appoint an advisory committee to assist the board in incorporating the potential effects of climate variability into the 2012 state water plan. The advisory committee shall consist of experts from any field who have experience in the process of creating a regional water plan.

SECTION 2. DUTIES OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The advisory committee shall:

(1) assess past and predicted variations in climate;

(2) assess the potential effects of climate variability on:

(A) groundwater resources;

(B) surface water resources; and

(C) water demand;

(3) review case studies of major water providers that include quantitative sensitivity analyses for water demand and supply under a range of climate variation scenarios;

(4) review and analyze information regarding natural climate variability to determine whether an area of this state is experiencing a new drought of record;

(5) assess existing global climate models to determine whether the models may be helpful in water planning on a regional or local level;

(6) make recommendations for improving the collection of general information regarding:

(A) groundwater resources;

(B) surface water resources;

(C) evapotranspiration; and

(D) water use; and

(7) make recommendations for the use of innovative water technologies that will help mitigate water supply issues, in addition to those water supply issues that would be experienced in a drought of record, including:

(A) desalination technology;

(B) water reuse technology; and

(C) other emerging technologies.

SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the advisory committee shall submit its findings and recommendations to:

(1) the Texas Water Development Board;

(2) the governor; and

(3) the relevant committees of the senate and house of representatives.

SECTION 4. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ABOLISHED; EXPIRATION OF ACT. The advisory committee is abolished and this Act expires January 1, 2013.

SECTION 5. 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, 2009.