By: Rodríguez  S.B. No. 1597
         (In the Senate - Filed March 9, 2017; March 21, 2017, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural
  Affairs; April 26, 2017, reported favorably by the following vote:  
  Yeas 5, Nays 0; April 26, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to a requirement that the General Land Office conduct an
  evaluation and submit a report regarding the use of wind and solar
  power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property owned by
  the state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  DEFINITION. In this Act, "land office" means the
  General Land Office.
         SECTION 2.  EVALUATION. (a)  The land office shall conduct
  an evaluation to identify:
               (1)  the economic potential for using wind and solar
  power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property owned by
  the state; and
               (2)  possible pilot sites that have the best potential
  for the implementation of a pilot program for the purpose described
  by Subdivision (1) of this subsection.
         (b)  In conducting the evaluation, the land office shall:
               (1)  use information developed as a result of the study
  conducted under Chapter 620 (S.B. 991), Acts of the 84th
  Legislature, Regular Session, 2015; and
               (2)  consult with representatives of the private sector
  with expertise in the desalination of brackish groundwater and the
  generation of wind and solar power.
         (c)  In conducting the evaluation, the land office may:
               (1)  request data from any state agency; and
               (2)  coordinate with a research division of a
  university.
         (d)  An agency or a research division that receives a request
  under Subsection (c) of this section shall provide the requested
  data or assistance.
         (e)  The evaluation shall include:
               (1)  recommendations for one or more possible pilot
  sites for the implementation of a pilot program for using wind and
  solar power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property
  owned by the state;
               (2)  an evaluation of opportunities for the state to
  generate revenue from using wind and solar power for the purpose
  described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection; and
               (3)  proposed strategies for using wind and solar power
  for the purpose described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection in
  an economically viable way.
         SECTION 3.  REPORT. (a)  Not later than December 31, 2018,
  the land office shall report the results of the evaluation
  conducted under this Act to the governor and the legislature.
         (b)  The report described by this section may not disclose
  information that is excepted from the requirements of Section
  552.021, Government Code.
         SECTION 4.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect
  immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
  elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
  Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
  immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
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