83R12085 VOO-F
By: Dukes H.B. No. 450
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 450:
By: Giddings C.S.H.B. No. 450
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the designation of a state climatologist and the
operation of a state climate office.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle E, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 470 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 470. STATE CLIMATOLOGIST AND STATE CLIMATE OFFICE
Sec. 470.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "state agency"
means a department, commission, board, office, or other agency in
the executive branch of state government, including a university
system or institution of higher education as defined by Section
61.003, Education Code.
Sec. 470.002. DESIGNATION OF STATE CLIMATOLOGIST. (a) The
governor shall appoint an officer or employee of a state agency as
the state climatologist from a list submitted by the speaker of the
house of representatives and the lieutenant governor.
(b) To be eligible for designation as the state
climatologist, an individual must have:
(1) a graduate degree with specialization in climate
studies or a closely related field of study; and
(2) extensive experience in employing climate data for
use by legislative, public, and private entities.
(c) Service as the state climatologist by an officer or
employee of a state agency is an additional duty of the individual's
office or employment.
Sec. 470.003. STATE CLIMATE OFFICE. The state
climatologist shall operate a state climate office that meets or
exceeds the standards and level of service required for recognition
by the American Association of State Climatologists or an
appropriate successor organization.
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, 2013.