By: Reynolds H.B. No. 71
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of the Climate Change Impact Assessment
  Council.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  (a) In this section, "council" means the Climate
  Change Impact Assessment Council established by this Act.
         (b)  The council is established to study the impact of
  climate change on the health, safety, and welfare of the residents
  of this state.
         (c)  The council is composed of the following members:
               (1)  two members of the senate appointed by the
  lieutenant governor;
               (2)  two members of the house of representatives
  appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
               (3)  seven members of the public appointed jointly by
  the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of
  representatives, including:
                     (A)  one member with expertise in climatology;
                     (B)  one member with expertise in this state's
  economy;
                     (C)  one member with expertise in land management
  and natural resource maintenance; and
                     (D)  one member representing the tourism
  industry.
         (d)  A public member of the council is entitled to
  reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by the member while
  conducting the business of the council, as provided by the General
  Appropriations Act.
         (e)  The House Committee on Environmental Regulation and the
  Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development
  shall provide personnel and administrative support to the council
  as needed.
         (f)  The council shall conduct a study to:
               (1)  assess the current and potential effects of
  climate change trends on the residents, natural resources, public
  health, and economy of this state;
               (2)  estimate the costs to this state of adverse
  effects associated with climate change;
               (3)  research measures for preventing or mitigating the
  effects of flooding, erosion, drought, and wildfires that may be
  caused or worsened by climate change; and
               (4)  recommend legislation or other regulations to
  minimize the adverse impact of climate change on this state.
         (g)  The council shall hold public hearings in various parts
  of this state to gather information related to the council's study.
         (h)  Not later than January 1, 2023, the council shall
  prepare and submit a report to the legislature containing the
  findings of the study described in Subsection (f) of this section.
         (i)  The council is abolished and this Act expires September
  1, 2023.
         SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2022, the lieutenant
  governor and the speaker of the house of representatives shall
  appoint members to the Climate Change Impact Assessment Council as
  required by this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.