87R21038 SLB-F
 
  By: Wilson H.B. No. 2095
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2095:
 
  By:  Wilson C.S.H.B. No. 2095
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to water research conducted by The University of Texas
  Bureau of Economic Geology.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 2, Water Code, is amended by adding
  Subtitle G to read as follows:
  SUBTITLE G. WATER RESEARCH
  CHAPTER 39. WATER RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY
         Sec. 39.0101.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Board" means the Texas Water Development Board.
               (2)  "Bureau" means The University of Texas Bureau of
  Economic Geology.
         Sec. 39.0102.  DATA AND MODELING. (a) The bureau shall, in
  coordination with the board, make studies of water, including
  surface water, groundwater, soil moisture, and atmospheric
  moisture, to improve on data gaps and on the processing, analysis,
  modeling, and integration of water-related data.
         (b)  The bureau shall, in coordination with the board, work
  to enhance, advance, or integrate models characterizing the water
  resources of the state including:
               (1)  improving the techniques for multiscale modeling;
               (2)  expanding the use of artificial intelligence and
  machine learning techniques;
               (3)  integrating multiscale modeling and machine
  learning;
               (4)  creating interoperable, modular, or coupled
  modeling strategies;
               (5)  improving access to and methods for achieving
  high-performance computing; and
               (6)  improving access to open-source,
  community-supported modeling.
         Sec. 39.0103.  COOPERATION AND COORDINATION. (a) In
  fulfilling the duties described by Section 39.0102, the bureau
  shall cooperate with:
               (1)  the board;
               (2)  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
               (3)  the Edwards Aquifer Authority;
               (4)  river authorities;
               (5)  groundwater conservation districts;
               (6)  The University of Texas;
               (7)  Texas A&M University;
               (8)  Texas Tech University; and
               (9)  any other state agency or university with access
  to data related to surface water, groundwater, soil moisture, or
  atmospheric moisture.
         (b)  The bureau may coordinate with federal agencies or
  private entities as appropriate to fulfill the requirements of this
  chapter.
         (c)  The agencies, political subdivisions, and universities
  described by Subsection (a) shall provide, on request and to the
  extent available, data to the bureau as necessary to fulfill the
  requirements of this chapter.
         (d)  To the extent of any conflict or inconsistency, the
  provisions of Chapters 6 and 16 describing the powers, duties, and
  functions of the board prevail over this chapter.
         (e)  The bureau and the board shall enter into a memorandum
  of understanding to define their powers, duties, and functions
  related to this chapter.
         Sec. 39.0104.  RESULTS. The bureau shall cooperate with the
  board to ensure that the data and information compiled and produced
  under Section 39.0102 are made available in accordance with Section
  16.012(d).
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.