84R1572 SMH-F
 
  By: Ellis S.B. No. 78
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state
  water plan.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 16.051(a-1) and (d), Water Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a-1)  The state water plan must include:
               (1)  an assessment of the best available science
  related to trends in factors affecting:
                     (A)  future water availability, including
  precipitation, evaporation, storage capacity, and environmental
  flow needs; and
                     (B)  future water use, including technologies for
  water conservation, purification, and reuse;
               (2)  an evaluation of the state's progress in meeting
  future water needs, including an evaluation of the extent to which
  water management strategies and projects implemented after the
  adoption of the preceding state water plan have affected that
  progress; and
               (3) [(2)]  an analysis of the number of projects
  included in the preceding state water plan that received financial
  assistance from the board.
         (d)  The board, in coordination with the commission, the
  Department of Agriculture, and the Parks and Wildlife Department,
  shall adopt by rule guidance principles for the state water plan
  which reflect the public interest of the entire state. When
  adopting guidance principles, due consideration shall be given to
  the best available science related to forecasting future water
  availability, the environmental flow standards and environmental
  flow set-asides adopted by the commission under Section 11.1471,
  the construction and improvement of surface water and groundwater
  resources, and the application of principles that result in
  voluntary redistribution of water resources. The board shall
  review and update the guidance principles, with input from the
  commission, the Department of Agriculture, and the Parks and
  Wildlife Department, as necessary but at least every five years to
  coincide with the five-year cycle for adoption of a new water plan
  as described in Subsection (a).
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies to the state water plan required
  to be adopted by the Texas Water Development Board beginning with
  the 2017 state water plan.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.