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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the applicability of certain provisions concerning the |
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transfer of exotic species to certain transfers of water that |
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supply populous areas. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 66.007, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (m) to read as follows: |
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(m) A water transfer described by this subsection, without |
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evidence of the introduction of an exotic fish or shellfish, is not |
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a violation of this section. The department may not require a |
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permit under this section for a water transfer described by this |
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subsection. This subsection applies to a water transfer by a |
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district or authority created under Section 59, Article XVI, Texas |
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Constitution, that: |
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(1) is initially conveyed by a water intake structure |
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that is: |
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(A) shared by at least two districts or |
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authorities; and |
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(B) located on a reservoir situated on the |
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boundary of this state and another state; |
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(2) uses a closed conveyance system approved by the |
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United States Army Corps of Engineers in accordance with an |
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invasive species management plan approved by the United States Army |
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Corps of Engineers; and |
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(3) contributes to a water supply that serves at least |
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1.5 million people, all of whom reside in an area that: |
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(A) borders another state; |
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(B) contains at least 10 contiguous counties; |
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(C) contains at least one county with a |
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population of more than one million; and |
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(D) is adjacent to a county with a population of |
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more than one million. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |