By: Shapleigh, Watson S.B. No. 1405
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of an advisory committee to assist
the Texas Water Development Board in incorporating the potential
effects of climate variability into the state water plan.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. CREATION, PURPOSE, AND COMPOSITION OF ADVISORY
COMMITTEE. The executive administrator of the Texas Water
Development Board shall appoint an advisory committee to assist the
board in incorporating the potential effects of climate variability
into the 2012 state water plan. The advisory committee shall
consist of experts from any field who have experience in the process
of creating a regional water plan.
SECTION 2. DUTIES OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The advisory
committee shall:
(1) assess past and predicted variations in climate;
(2) assess the potential effects of climate
variability on:
(A) groundwater resources;
(B) surface water resources; and
(C) water demand;
(3) review case studies of major water providers that
include quantitative sensitivity analyses for water demand and
supply under a range of climate variation scenarios;
(4) review and analyze information regarding natural
climate variability to determine whether an area of this state is
experiencing a new drought of record;
(5) assess existing global climate models to determine
whether the models may be helpful in water planning on a regional or
local level;
(6) make recommendations for improving the collection
of general information regarding:
(A) groundwater resources;
(B) surface water resources;
(C) evapotranspiration; and
(D) water use; and
(7) make recommendations for the use of innovative
water technologies that will help mitigate water supply issues, in
addition to those water supply issues that would be experienced in a
drought of record, including:
(A) desalination technology;
(B) water reuse technology; and
(C) other emerging technologies.
SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 1 of each
even-numbered year, the advisory committee shall submit its
findings and recommendations to:
(1) the Texas Water Development Board;
(2) the governor; and
(3) the relevant committees of the senate and house of
representatives.
SECTION 4. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ABOLISHED; EXPIRATION OF ACT.
The advisory committee is abolished and this Act expires January 1,
2013.
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, 2009.