88R2701 ANG-D
 
  By: Raymond H.B. No. 570
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study by the Texas Division of Emergency Management of
  the potential effects of droughts and wildfires in this state.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  DEFINITION. In this Act, "division" means the
  Texas Division of Emergency Management.
         SECTION 2.  STUDY. (a) The division shall conduct a study
  regarding the potential effects of droughts and wildfires in this
  state over the next 50 years. The study must include an assessment
  of:
               (1)  the projected ecological effects of droughts and
  wildfires, including:
                     (A)  harm to plants, animals, and water bodies;
  and
                     (B)  damage to state parks and other public lands;
               (2)  the projected effects of droughts on the
  temperature in urban areas, including:
                     (A)  increases in the demand for energy and water;
                     (B)  demands on public health facilities;
                     (C)  any decline in business productivity; and
                     (D)  any decline in tourism;
               (3)  the projected economic effects of droughts and
  wildfires, including:
                     (A)  agricultural losses; and
                     (B)  damage to infrastructure;
               (4)  vulnerabilities to droughts and wildfires;
               (5)  the availability of local resources to combat
  wildfires and adapt to droughts; and
               (6)  potential mitigation strategies for reducing the
  risk of and damage caused by droughts and wildfires.
         (b)  In conducting the study, the division shall solicit and
  consider information from:
               (1)  the Department of Public Safety;
               (2)  the Department of Agriculture;
               (3)  the Parks and Wildlife Department;
               (4)  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and
               (5)  other agencies, municipalities, and environmental
  organizations as necessary.
         SECTION 3.  REPORT. Not later than March 1, 2024, the
  division shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
  speaker of the house of representatives, and each standing
  committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over the
  division, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of
  Agriculture, the Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Texas
  Commission on Environmental Quality a written report that includes
  a summary of the study and any legislative recommendations based on
  the study.
         SECTION 4.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2025.
         SECTION 5.  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, 2023.