87R18063 JAM-F
 
  By: Larson H.B. No. 3084
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the proposal by the Texas Water Development Board of a
  process to identify and evaluate multiregional water supply
  projects.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  REPORT. (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Board" means the Texas Water Development Board.
               (2)  "Multiregional water supply project" means a water
  supply project that has the potential to serve more than one
  regional water planning area and:
                     (A)  create greater yields of water at a lower
  unit cost due to economies of scale; or
                     (B)  provide strategic water reserves for the
  state's long-term water needs.
         (b)  Not later than December 1, 2024, the board shall submit
  to the legislature a report that:
               (1)  proposes the framework for the addition of a new
  state-level planning component to the existing regional water
  planning process that would identify and evaluate multiregional
  water supply projects; and
               (2)  contains a general outline for a potential work
  plan, timeline, and estimated cost for the implementation of the
  planning component proposed by Subdivision (1) of this subsection.
         (c)  In developing the multiregional planning component
  framework described by Subsection (b)(1) of this section, the board
  shall consider:
               (1)  the currently adopted regional and state water
  plans;
               (2)  potentially available unused or new water sources,
  including sources related to flooding and seawater;
               (3)  information that is readily available regarding
  potential multiregional water supply projects;
               (4)  the potential of multiregional water supply
  projects to:
                     (A)  provide water supplies beyond the 50-year
  state water planning horizon; and
                     (B)  address droughts worse than the drought of
  record; and
               (5)  other relevant factors as determined by the board.
         (d)  In developing the report required by Subsection (b) of
  this section, the board may:
               (1)  consult with the interregional planning council
  established by Section 16.052, Water Code; and
               (2)  contract for research and technical services as
  needed in developing the proposed framework for the multiregional
  planning component of the state water plan.
         SECTION 2.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2025.
         SECTION 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
  1, 2021.