84R9031 MTB-D
 
  By: Anchia H.B. No. 2078
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation and duties of the Global Climate Change
  Commission.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  STATEMENT OF POLICY. (a) There is broad
  agreement between nations, across states, and among scientists that
  increasing emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other
  greenhouse gases released into the earth's atmosphere are affecting
  the earth's climate.
         (b)  There is further consensus that global climate change,
  national security, and energy dependence are a related set of
  global challenges.
         (c)  The potential adverse effects of global climate change
  in the coming decades include extreme weather events, drought, a
  decline in air quality, rising sea levels and global temperatures,
  and exacerbation of challenges such as infectious disease and
  terrorism.
         (d)  The state of the world's climate in the future largely
  depends on how global leaders react to global climate change now.
         (e)  Many states and countries have reached across borders to
  collaborate and develop policies to reduce greenhouse gas
  emissions, spur private investment in clean energy, and enhance
  energy security.
         (f)  By not taking aggressive action to reduce greenhouse gas
  emissions, the state is missing out on an opportunity to become a
  global leader in protecting against global climate change and risks
  exposing the state's economy and its citizens to unmitigated
  consequences.
         (g)  Global warming will have deleterious effects on the
  state's labor productivity, infrastructure, and industries,
  including agriculture, water, energy, forestry, and tourism.
         (h)  Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as
  energy conservation and development of renewable energy sources,
  may have multiple benefits, including economic development, job
  creation, cost savings, and improved air quality in and beyond the
  boundaries of this state.
         (i)  Recognizing the potential threat to the environment,
  economy, and national security, it is the intent of the Texas
  Legislature to create a global climate change commission committed
  to working toward mitigating the impacts of global climate change
  nationally and internationally.
         SECTION 2.  DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Global Climate Change
  Commission.
               (2)  "Greenhouse gas" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 403.028, Government Code.
               (3)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
         SECTION 3.  COMMISSION CREATED; COMPOSITION. (a) The Global
  Climate Change Commission is created.
         (b)  The commission is composed of:
               (1)  one member appointed by the governor;
               (2)  one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;
               (3)  one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
  representatives;
               (4)  one member appointed by the most senior member of
  the minority party of the house of representatives;
               (5)  one member appointed by the most senior member of
  the minority party of the senate; and
               (6)  the following members appointed evenly between the
  governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
  representatives:
                     (A)  a representative of the public energy sector;
                     (B)  a representative of rural electric
  cooperatives;
                     (C)  a representative of the municipal
  electricity sector;
                     (D)  two representatives of separate nonprofit
  environmental organizations;
                     (E)  three scientists at separate institutions of
  higher education, including one climatologist;
                     (F)  an economist from an institution of higher
  education;
                     (G)  a representative of business and industry;
                     (H)  a representative of the manufacturing or
  mining industry;
                     (I)  a representative of the agriculture or
  forestry industry;
                     (J)  a representative of the fossil fuel industry;
                     (K)  a representative from the Health and Human
  Services Commission; and
                     (L)  four representatives of the public.
         SECTION 4.  PRESIDING OFFICER; MEETINGS; COMPENSATION. (a)
  The commission shall elect one of its members to serve as presiding
  officer.
         (b)  The commission shall meet at least quarterly and at the
  call of the presiding officer.
         (c)  A commission member is not entitled to receive
  compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to
  reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by the member while
  conducting the business of the commission, as provided by the
  General Appropriations Act.
         SECTION 5.  DUTIES OF COMMISSION. (a) Not later than
  September 1, 2016, the commission shall prepare and deliver a
  comprehensive inventory and forecast of greenhouse gas emissions in
  this state from 2000 to 2030 to the governor, lieutenant governor,
  speaker of the house of representatives, state energy conservation
  office, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
         (b)  The commission shall:
               (1)  design a multiregional, multistate, and
  multilateral approach to:
                     (A)  reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
                     (B)  reduce energy demands;
                     (C)  protect public health; and
                     (D)  increase public and private investment in
  clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure;
               (2)  assess the impact of global climate change on
  important matters of national security; and
               (3)  develop and recommend a portfolio of feasible and
  affordable policy options to reduce this state's vulnerability to
  the predictable effects of global climate change.
         (c)  The commission shall submit a preliminary written
  report of its activities and progress under Subsection (b) of this
  section to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house
  of representatives, state energy conservation office, and Texas
  Commission on Environmental Quality not later than September 1,
  2016.  The report must include a comprehensive and coordinated plan
  for adapting the state's economy, infrastructure, security
  policies, and public health policies to:
               (1)  address the consequences of global climate change;
  and
               (2)  ensure continued economic global competitiveness.
         (d)  The commission shall submit a final written report of
  its activities and recommendations under Subsection (b) of this
  section on or before January 1, 2017, to the legislature, including
  the state affairs committee of each house of the legislature.
         SECTION 6.  APPOINTMENTS. As soon as possible after this Act
  takes effect:
               (1)  the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the
  house of representatives, and members of the legislature described
  by Section 3 of this Act shall make the appointments required by
  that section; and
               (2)  the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
  the house of representatives or their designees shall meet to
  apportion the appointments under Section 3(b)(6) of this Act.
         SECTION 7.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires and the commission
  is abolished effective March 1, 2017.
         SECTION 8.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
  1, 2015.