By: Larson, Workman (Senate Sponsor - Perry) H.B. No. 163
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 20, 2015;
  May 6, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs; May 13, 2015, reported
  adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following
  vote:  Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 13, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 163 By:  Perry
 
 
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 three [seven]
  commissioners as follows: 
               (1)  [who are appointed by] the governor or the
  governor's designee; 
               (2)  a member of the standing committee of the house of
  representatives that has jurisdiction over natural resources,
  appointed by the governor; and
               (3)  a member of the standing committee [with the
  advice and consent] of the senate that has jurisdiction over water
  issues, appointed by the governor.
         (b)  The governor or the governor's designee shall act as the
  official representative of this state on the commission and shall
  exercise all powers and duties of this state as a member of the
  commission [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) The two appointed
  commissioners serve [Commissioners hold office for] staggered
  terms of four [six] years, with the term [terms] of one appointed
  commissioner [two or three commissioners] expiring on February 1 of
  each odd-numbered year.
         (b)  Each appointed commissioner serves [holds office] until
  the commissioner's [his] successor is appointed [and has qualified
  for office].
         (c)  A [If a] vacancy in an appointed position 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 8.016, Water Code, is amended to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 8.016.  CHAIRMAN. The governor or the governor's
  designee shall serve [designate one commissioner] as chairman of
  the commission [to serve at the will of the governor].
         SECTION 7.  Section 8.017(c), Water Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         (c)  The chairman or two commissioners may call a special
  meeting at any time by giving notice to the other commissioner or
  commissioners.
         SECTION 8.  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 9.  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 10.  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 11.  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 12.  Sections 8.014, 8.018, and 8.053, Water Code,
  are repealed.
         SECTION 13.  (a)  Promptly after this Act takes effect, the
  governor shall appoint the initial appointed members of the
  Southwestern States Water Commission under Chapter 8, Water Code,
  as amended by this Act.
         (b)  In appointing the initial appointed members of the
  commission, the governor shall appoint one person to a term
  expiring February 1, 2017, and one person to a term expiring
  February 1, 2019.
         SECTION 14.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
 
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