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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. |
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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 COLLECTION. |
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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) collect data from existing studies conducted on |
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the interaction between surface water and groundwater in this |
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state; |
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(2) identify areas of the state where there is a lack |
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of data or are inadequate models on the interaction between surface |
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water and groundwater; and |
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(3) determine a method to prioritize the development |
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of enhanced modeling techniques to collect more data in areas with a |
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strong degree of surface water and groundwater interaction, |
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including conducting streamflow gain-loss studies where adequate |
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data is lacking and increasing long-term monitoring of springflows. |
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(b) The board and the commission may coordinate with |
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groundwater conservation districts, groundwater management areas, |
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river authorities, governmental entities, and institutions of |
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higher education in collecting 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 commission shall deliver to the governor, the lieutenant |
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governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each |
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member of the legislature a report summarizing the findings and |
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recommendations of the board and commission based on the study |
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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. |