BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2026
85R8071 JXC-D	By: Rodr�guez
	Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs
	4/27/2017
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 2026 establishes a report on statewide best practices with regard to green stormwater infrastructure, which are systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes that result in the infiltration, evapotranspiration, treatment, or use of stormwater. The spread of development and paved surfaces, which are impermeable to stormwater, contributes to increased runoff and flooding following weather events. There is currently no statewide survey of effective green stormwater infrastructure techniques intended to manage stormwater, minimize flood risk, and protect water quality.

 

As proposed, S.B. 2026 amends current law relating to a study and report by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on the use of green stormwater infrastructure 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. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 5, Water Code, by adding Section 5.136, as follows:

 

Sec. 5.136.� STUDY AND REPORT ON GREEN STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE. (a) Defines "green stormwater infrastructure."

 

(b) Requires the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to study the installation and use of green stormwater infrastructure in this state.

 

(c) Requires TCEQ to, as part of TCEQ's biannual reports under Section 5.178 (Biennial Reports), include a written report that includes an estimate of the amount of stormwater managed using green stormwater infrastructure in this state, a description of barriers to installing and using green stormwater infrastructure, recommendations to increase the installation and use of green stormwater infrastructure, goals for increased installation and use of green stormwater infrastructure in this state, and �progress made toward achieving the goals required under Subdivision (4) (relating to goals for increased installation and use of green stormwater infrastructure in this state) from the previous report.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.