H.B. No. 163
AN ACT
relating to interstate cooperation to address regional water
issues.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Chapter 8, Water Code, is amended
to read as follows:
CHAPTER 8. SOUTHWESTERN STATES WATER [MULTI-STATE WATER RESOURCES
PLANNING] COMMISSION
SECTION 2. Section 8.001(1), Water Code, is amended to read
as follows:
(1) "Commission" means the Southwestern States Water
[Multi-State Water Resources Planning] Commission.
SECTION 3. Section 8.011, Water Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 8.011. CREATION OF COMMISSION. The Southwestern
States Water [Multi-State Water Resources Planning] Commission is
created as an advisory commission to the governor and the
legislature [agency of the state].
SECTION 4. Section 8.013, Water Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 8.013. COMMISSIONERS [MEMBERS OF COMMISSION];
APPOINTMENT. (a) The commission is composed of three [seven]
commissioners as follows:
(1) [who are appointed by] the governor or the
governor's designee;
(2) a member of the standing committee of the house of
representatives that has jurisdiction over natural resources,
appointed by the governor; and
(3) a member of the standing committee [with the
advice and consent] of the senate that has jurisdiction over water
issues, appointed by the governor.
(b) The governor or the governor's designee shall act as the
official representative of this state on the commission and shall
exercise all powers and duties of this state as a member of the
commission [make the appointments so that each member is from a
different section of the state].
[(c) Three commissioners must be members of the general
public, one commissioner must have a background in the field of
higher education, one commissioner must have a background in
private business, one commissioner must have a background in
agriculture, and one commissioner must have a background in an
energy-related field.]
SECTION 5. Section 8.015, Water Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 8.015. TERMS [OF OFFICE]. (a) The two appointed
commissioners serve [Commissioners hold office for] staggered
terms of four [six] years, with the term [terms] of one appointed
commissioner [two or three commissioners] expiring on February 1 of
each odd-numbered year.
(b) Each appointed commissioner serves [holds office] until
the commissioner's [his] successor is appointed [and has qualified
for office].
(c) A [If a] vacancy in an appointed position on the
commission [occurs in the office of commissioner, the governor]
shall be filled [appoint a successor to serve] for the unexpired
portion of the term in the same manner as the original appointment.
SECTION 6. Section 8.016, Water Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 8.016. CHAIRMAN. The governor or the governor's
designee shall serve [designate one commissioner] as chairman of
the commission [to serve at the will of the governor].
SECTION 7. Section 8.017(c), Water Code, is amended to read
as follows:
(c) The chairman or two commissioners may call a special
meeting at any time by giving notice to the other commissioner or
commissioners.
SECTION 8. Section 8.019, Water Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 8.019. ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT [STAFF]. The board
shall provide administrative [necessary staff and] support to the
commission to assist the commission in carrying out this chapter.
SECTION 9. Section 8.051, Water Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 8.051. INTERACTION WITH OTHER STATES. (a) In
cooperation with representatives of neighboring states, the
commission may discuss [shall study] the water needs of the region
[after the year 2000].
(b) The commission may [shall] initiate and carry out
discussions with representatives of neighboring states relating to
the identification and development of sources and methods of
augmenting water supplies on a regional basis after existing water
supplies are fully committed.
SECTION 10. Section 8.052, Water Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 8.052. INTERACTION WITH MEXICO. The commission may
[shall contract and] confer with the government of Mexico
concerning water needs and development of sources of water supply.
SECTION 11. Section 8.056, Water Code, is amended to read as
follows:
Sec. 8.056. COMPACTS. The commission may [shall] contact
and negotiate with other states regarding the need for establishing
interstate compacts, addressing groundwater problems, needs, and
supplies, if an aquifer underlies several states, and addressing
other related subjects that would be beneficial to the states
including the conservation and beneficial use of water.
SECTION 12. Sections 8.014, 8.018, and 8.053, Water Code,
are repealed.
SECTION 13. (a) Promptly after this Act takes effect, the
governor shall appoint the initial appointed members of the
Southwestern States Water Commission under Chapter 8, Water Code,
as amended by this Act.
(b) In appointing the initial appointed members of the
commission, the governor shall appoint one person to a term
expiring February 1, 2017, and one person to a term expiring
February 1, 2019.
SECTION 14. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 163 was passed by the House on April
16, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 163 on May 21, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 0, 2
present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 163 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 20, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor