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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board of the |
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water resources in certain counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "board" means the Texas |
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Water Development Board. |
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SECTION 2. STUDY. The board shall conduct a study that |
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evaluates and analyzes the water resources in the counties located |
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in Regional Water Planning Area M as designated by the board. The |
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study must: |
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(1) compile and evaluate current data on groundwater |
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conditions, including groundwater levels, aquifer characteristics, |
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and groundwater use and production; |
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(2) fully assess the effects of current and projected |
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groundwater production on groundwater conditions; |
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(3) establish a framework for analyzing state agency |
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data in order to enable policymakers and agency leadership to make |
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informed, real-time decisions regarding water resource management, |
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financial allocations, and contracting; |
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(4) develop predictive models that can be used to |
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enhance the allocation of state resources, forecast water supply |
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trends, and guide policy decisions that support water |
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sustainability; |
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(5) identify ways to prevent and mitigate potential |
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fraudulent transactions or inefficiencies in financial and |
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contractual processes associated with water infrastructure, |
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permitting, and management; |
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(6) assess the effectiveness of state and federal |
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funding mechanisms in addressing water management challenges |
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through advanced data analytics; |
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(7) review the performance of existing state-funded |
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water management and conservation programs in order to determine |
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cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and impact; and |
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(8) develop standardized, user-friendly reporting |
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mechanisms that incorporate clear visual representations and |
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interactive tools in order to improve public access to and |
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comprehension of water resource data and agency policies. |
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SECTION 3. REPORT. (a) Not later than September 1, 2026, |
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the board shall complete the study described by Section 2 of this |
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Act and prepare and submit a report of the findings to each standing |
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committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over water |
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development. |
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(b) The board shall make copies of the report described by |
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Subsection (a) of this section available to the public. |
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SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2027. |
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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, 2025. |