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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study of existing surface water and groundwater |
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interaction data and analyses. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act: |
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(1) "Board" means the Texas Water Development Board. |
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(2) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on |
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Environmental Quality. |
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SECTION 2. SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER DATA ANALYSIS. |
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(a) The board, in cooperation with the commission, shall conduct a |
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study to: |
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(1) compile and review data and analyses from existing |
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studies conducted on the interaction between surface water and |
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groundwater in this state; |
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(2) identify areas of the state where there is a strong |
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degree of interaction between surface water and groundwater; |
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(3) identify areas of the state where there is a lack |
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of data regarding or there are inadequate models of the interaction |
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between surface water and groundwater; and |
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(4) in areas with a strong degree of interaction |
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between surface water and groundwater and where available data are |
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lacking or models are inadequate, determine a method to prioritize: |
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(A) additional data collection, including |
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streamflow gain-loss studies and long-term monitoring of |
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springflows; and |
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(B) updates of models and improvements to the |
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modeling of the interaction between surface water and groundwater. |
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(b) The board and the commission may coordinate with |
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groundwater conservation districts, river authorities, |
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governmental entities, and institutions of higher education in |
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compiling and reviewing existing data and analyses on the |
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interaction between surface water and groundwater in this state. |
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SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2024, the |
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board and the commission shall deliver to the governor, the |
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lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, |
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and each member of the legislature a report summarizing the |
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findings and recommendations of the board and the commission based |
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on the study conducted under Section 2 of this Act. |
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SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2025. |
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SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |