BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 1525

 

By: Perry

 

Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs

 

3/31/2017

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Per the 2017 State Water Plan, Texas' population is expected to hit 51 million by 2070. In that same amount of time, the state faces a potential water shortage of 8.9 million acre-feet per year under drought of record conditions.

 

The State Water Plan is a bottom-up, regional approach to water planning in Texas. Thanks to this system of planning, we are currently projected to provide an additional 8.5 million acre-feet of water per year in 2070. This is accomplished through approximately 5,500 water management strategies provided by these regions across the state. Unfortunately, even with this approach to water planning, we are projected to have a shortage of 400,000 acre-feet of water per year.

For reference, one acre-foot of water is approximately 326,000 gallons, or roughly the amount of water to fill one football field one-foot deep. The average Texas household uses approximately 246 gallons per day. Calculated out, the average Texas household uses .275 acre-feet of water per year. If the state experienced a shortage of 400,000 acre-feet in one year, that is the equivalent of 1.45 million homes going without water.

 

It is crucial to continue working to meet the future water needs of Texas. S.B. 1525 directs the Texas Water Development Board to conduct a study of the water needs and availability in Texas. This study specifically focuses on the opportunities and costs associated with developing new sources of water, identifying potential locations for new seawater and brackish groundwater desalination facilities, and identifying opportunities for public-private partnerships for the development of water projects in Texas, among other things.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1525 amends current law relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of water needs and availability in this state.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. (a) Defines "board" as the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).

 

(b) Requires TWDB to conduct a study of water needs and availability in this state and use the results of the study to produce a comprehensive water resources map.

 

(c) Requires the study to consider certain opportunities for, obstacles to, and costs associated with the development of new sources of water, potential locations of facilities for the desalination of marine seawater and brackish groundwater, the allocation of costs associated with the transportation of desalinated marine seawater and brackish groundwater from the place of production to end users, the potential for the use of public-private partnerships for water development projects in this state, and methods to ensure that stakeholders from all water user groups are included in the development of plans for the use of water in this state.

 

(d) Authorizes TWDB, in conducting the study, to consult with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

 

(e) Requires TWDB, not later than December 1, 2018, to submit to each standing committee of the legislature having primary jurisdiction over water development a report of the findings of the study conducted under this section and the map developed by TWDB under Subsection (b) of this section.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.