Amend SB 1301 (house committee printing) by adding the following appropriately numbered SECTIONS to the bill and renumbering subsequent SECTIONS of the bill accordingly:
SECTION ____. Section 20.001, Water Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) This subsection expires January 1, 2018. The legislature finds that the growing water needs of this state require substantial financial commitments and that the authority is the proper body to coordinate with the development board and the legislature to conduct a study that:
(1) evaluates efficient and economical methods available to convey water from one location to another; and
(2) describes ways to improve the efficient use of water using an integrated network of both natural and constructed water conveyance infrastructure.
SECTION ____. Subchapter C, Chapter 20, Water Code, is amended by adding Section 20.046 to read as follows:
Sec. 20.046. STUDY. (a) The authority shall coordinate with the development board and the members of the legislature described by Subsection (b) to conduct a study of:
(1) statewide and regional water markets; and
(2) an integrated network of natural and constructed works, including pipelines, pumping stations, and reservoirs, for the conveyance of water between and within river basins, water sources, and areas of water use in this state.
(b) The lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives each shall appoint two members from the legislative committees having jurisdiction over water to participate in conducting the study, including participating in any hearing or meeting related to the study.
(c) The authority and the development board shall allow and consider public comment on the issues covered by the study.
(d) Not later than December 1, 2017, the authority and the development board shall submit a final report on the study to the legislature.
(e) This section expires January 1, 2018.