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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a requirement that the General Land Office conduct an |
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evaluation and submit a report regarding the use of wind and solar |
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power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property owned by |
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the state. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "land office" means the |
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General Land Office. |
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SECTION 2. EVALUATION. (a) The land office shall conduct |
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an evaluation to identify: |
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(1) the economic potential for using wind and solar |
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power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property owned by |
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the state; and |
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(2) possible pilot sites that have the best potential |
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for the implementation of a pilot program for the purpose described |
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by Subdivision (1) of this subsection. |
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(b) In conducting the evaluation, the land office shall: |
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(1) use information developed as a result of the study |
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conducted under Chapter 620 (S.B. 991), Acts of the 84th |
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Legislature, Regular Session, 2015; and |
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(2) consult with representatives of the private sector |
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with expertise in the desalination of brackish groundwater and the |
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generation of wind and solar power. |
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(c) In conducting the evaluation, the land office may: |
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(1) request data from any state agency; and |
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(2) coordinate with a research division of a |
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university. |
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(d) An agency or a research division that receives a request |
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under Subsection (c) of this section shall provide the requested |
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data or assistance. |
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(e) The evaluation shall include: |
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(1) recommendations for one or more possible pilot |
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sites for the implementation of a pilot program for using wind and |
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solar power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property |
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owned by the state; |
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(2) an evaluation of opportunities for the state to |
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generate revenue from using wind and solar power for the purpose |
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described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection; and |
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(3) proposed strategies for using wind and solar power |
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for the purpose described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection in |
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an economically viable way. |
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SECTION 3. REPORT. (a) Not later than December 31, 2018, |
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the land office shall report the results of the evaluation |
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conducted under this Act to the governor and the legislature. |
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(b) The report described by this section may not disclose |
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information that is excepted from the requirements of Section |
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552.021, Government Code. |
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SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |
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