81R17226 KJM-D
By: Burnam, Farrar, et al. H.B. No. 1553
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1553:
By: Farrar C.S.H.B. No. 1553
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain
entities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 5, Health and Safety Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 393 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 393. CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLAN
Sec. 393.001. PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. Not later than
September 1 of each even-numbered year, each of the following
entities shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess
the entity's role with respect to climate change:
(1) the Department of Agriculture;
(2) the independent organization certified under
Section 39.151, Utilities Code;
(3) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
(4) the General Land Office;
(5) the Health and Human Services Commission;
(6) the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs;
(7) the Texas Department of Insurance;
(8) the Parks and Wildlife Department;
(9) the Department of Public Safety of the State of
Texas;
(10) the Public Utility Commission of Texas;
(11) the office of the comptroller;
(12) the Texas Department of Transportation;
(13) the Texas Forest Service; and
(14) the Texas Water Development Board.
Sec. 393.002. PLAN. (a) For the purposes of this chapter,
a climate adaptation plan is a strategy to identify, minimize, and
adequately prepare for the effects of global warming on the social,
economic, and ecological systems of this state and to manage the
risks associated with a changing climate. A plan under this section
must be based on current research-based climate science that
identifies the likely impacts of rising ambient temperatures on
this state.
(b) Each climate adaptation plan must include:
(1) a climate change vulnerability assessment;
(2) a review of existing programs in the context of
anticipated changing climate conditions;
(3) specific steps necessary for the entity to fulfill
its mission during the anticipated climate change;
(4) an analysis of the effects implementing the steps
identified under Subdivision (3) would have on the entity's budget
during the next 2, 5, and 10 years;
(5) potential sources of funding to support the
entity's efforts to adapt to climate change; and
(6) a statewide strategy to monitor the continuing
effects of climate change.
(c) In developing a climate adaptation plan, each entity
subject to this section shall:
(1) consider the most current assessment reports
created by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;
(2) consult with the Houston Advanced Research Center;
and
(3) consult with the Office of the Texas State
Climatologist in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of
Geosciences, Texas A&M University.
(d) Not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year,
each entity subject to this section shall post the entity's climate
adaptation plan on a publicly accessible Internet website and
electronically submit a copy of the plan to:
(1) the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
the house of representatives;
(2) the presiding officer of each standing committee
or subcommittee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over
environmental matters; and
(3) the executive director of the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
(e) Each climate adaptation plan is subject to audit by the
state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321, Government Code.
SECTION 2. 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, 2009.