84R266 JAM-D

By: Larson H.B. No. 163

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water issues.

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

SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 8, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 8. SOUTHWESTERN STATES WATER [MULTI-STATE WATER RESOURCES

PLANNING] COMMISSION

SECTION 2. Section 8.001(1), Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

(1) "Commission" means the Southwestern States Water [Multi-State Water Resources Planning] Commission.

SECTION 3. Section 8.011, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 8.011. CREATION OF COMMISSION. The Southwestern States Water [Multi-State Water Resources Planning] Commission is created as an advisory commission to the governor and the legislature [agency of the state].

SECTION 4. Section 8.013, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 8.013. COMMISSIONERS [MEMBERS OF COMMISSION]; APPOINTMENT. [(a)] The commission is composed of six [seven] commissioners. Two commissioners [who] are appointed by the governor, two commissioners are appointed by the lieutenant governor, and two commissioners are appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives [with the advice and consent of the senate].

[(b) The governor shall make the appointments so that each member is from a different section of the state.

[(c) Three commissioners must be members of the general public, one commissioner must have a background in the field of higher education, one commissioner must have a background in private business, one commissioner must have a background in agriculture, and one commissioner must have a background in an energy-related field.]

SECTION 5. Section 8.015, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 8.015. TERMS [OF OFFICE]. (a) Commissioners serve [hold office] for staggered terms of six years, with the terms of two or three commissioners expiring on February 1 of each odd-numbered year.

(b) Each commissioner serves [holds office] until the commissioner's [his] successor is appointed [and has qualified for office].

(c) A [If a] vacancy on the commission [occurs in the office of commissioner, the governor] shall be filled [appoint a successor to serve] for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as the original appointment.

SECTION 6. Section 8.019, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 8.019. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT [STAFF]. The board shall provide administrative [necessary staff and] support to the commission to assist the commission in carrying out this chapter.

SECTION 7. Section 8.051, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 8.051. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STATES. (a) In cooperation with representatives of neighboring states, the commission may discuss [shall study] the water needs of the region [after the year 2000].

(b) The commission may [shall] initiate and carry out discussions with representatives of neighboring states relating to the identification and development of sources and methods of augmenting water supplies on a regional basis after existing water supplies are fully committed.

SECTION 8. Section 8.052, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 8.052. INTERACTION WITH MEXICO. The commission may [shall contract and] confer with the government of Mexico concerning water needs and development of sources of water supply.

SECTION 9. Section 8.056, Water Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 8.056. COMPACTS. The commission may [shall] contact and negotiate with other states regarding the need for establishing interstate compacts, addressing groundwater problems, needs, and supplies, if an aquifer underlies several states, and addressing other related subjects that would be beneficial to the states including the conservation and beneficial use of water.

SECTION 10. Sections 8.014, 8.018, and 8.053, Water Code, are repealed.

SECTION 11. (a) Promptly after this Act takes effect, the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the initial members of the Southwestern States Water Commission under Chapter 8, Water Code, as amended by this Act.

(b) In appointing the initial members of the commission:

(1) the governor shall appoint one person to a term expiring February 1, 2017, and one person to a term expiring February 1, 2019;

(2) the lieutenant governor shall appoint one person to a term expiring February 1, 2017, and one person to a term expiring February 1, 2021; and

(3) the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one person to a term expiring February 1, 2019, and one person to a term expiring February 1, 2021.

SECTION 12. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.