86R12323 JRR-D
 
  By: Menéndez S.B. No. 2069
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain
  entities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle C, Title 5, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 396 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 396.  CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLAN
         Sec. 396.001.  PARTICIPATING ENTITIES.  Not later than
  September 1, 2020, and before the end of each successive four-year
  period after that date, each of the following entities shall
  publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess the entity's
  role with respect to climate change:
               (1)  the Department of Agriculture;
               (2)  each independent organization certified under
  Section 39.151, Utilities Code;
               (3)  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
               (4)  the General Land Office;
               (5)  the Texas Department of Housing and Community
  Affairs;
               (6)  the Texas Department of Insurance;
               (7)  the Parks and Wildlife Department;
               (8)  the Department of Public Safety of the State of
  Texas;
               (9)  the Public Utility Commission of Texas;
               (10)  the office of the comptroller;
               (11)  the Texas A&M Forest Service; and
               (12)  the Texas Water Development Board.
         Sec. 396.002.  PLAN.  (a)  For the purposes of this chapter,
  a climate adaptation plan is a strategy to identify, minimize, and
  adequately prepare for the effects of climate change on the social,
  economic, and ecological systems of this state and to manage the
  risks associated with a changing climate. A plan under this chapter
  must be based on current peer-reviewed climate science that
  identifies the likely impacts of rising ambient temperatures,
  rising sea levels, and changes in precipitation patterns on this
  state.
         (b)  Each climate adaptation plan must include:
               (1)  a climate change vulnerability assessment;
               (2)  a review of existing programs in the context of
  anticipated changing climate conditions;
               (3)  specific steps necessary for the entity to fulfill
  its mission during the anticipated climate change;
               (4)  an analysis of the effects implementing the steps
  identified under Subdivision (3) would have on the entity's budget
  during the next 5 and 10 years;
               (5)  potential sources of funding to support the
  entity's efforts to adapt to climate change;
               (6)  a statewide strategy to monitor the continuing
  effects that climate change may have on the entity's ability to
  fulfill the entity's missions; and
               (7)  a written statement by the Texas state
  climatologist regarding the adequacy of the scientific basis of the
  plan.
         (c)  In developing a climate adaptation plan, each entity
  subject to this chapter shall:
               (1)  consider the most current assessment reports
  created by the United States Global Change Research Program; and
               (2)  consult with the Texas state climatologist or
  another climate expert employed at a Texas institution of higher
  education or nonprofit research institution.
         (d)  Not later than September 1, 2020, and before the end of
  each successive four-year period after that date, each entity
  subject to this chapter shall post the entity's climate adaptation
  plan on a publicly accessible Internet website and electronically
  submit a copy of the plan to:
               (1)  the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
  the house of representatives;
               (2)  the presiding officer of each standing committee
  or subcommittee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over
  environmental matters; and
               (3)  the executive director of the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality.
         (e)  Each climate adaptation plan is subject to audit by the
  state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321, Government Code.
         SECTION 2.  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, 2019.