84R9031 MTB-D
By: Anchia H.B. No. 2078
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation and duties of the Global Climate Change
Commission.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. STATEMENT OF POLICY. (a) There is broad
agreement between nations, across states, and among scientists that
increasing emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other
greenhouse gases released into the earth's atmosphere are affecting
the earth's climate.
(b) There is further consensus that global climate change,
national security, and energy dependence are a related set of
global challenges.
(c) The potential adverse effects of global climate change
in the coming decades include extreme weather events, drought, a
decline in air quality, rising sea levels and global temperatures,
and exacerbation of challenges such as infectious disease and
terrorism.
(d) The state of the world's climate in the future largely
depends on how global leaders react to global climate change now.
(e) Many states and countries have reached across borders to
collaborate and develop policies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, spur private investment in clean energy, and enhance
energy security.
(f) By not taking aggressive action to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, the state is missing out on an opportunity to become a
global leader in protecting against global climate change and risks
exposing the state's economy and its citizens to unmitigated
consequences.
(g) Global warming will have deleterious effects on the
state's labor productivity, infrastructure, and industries,
including agriculture, water, energy, forestry, and tourism.
(h) Actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as
energy conservation and development of renewable energy sources,
may have multiple benefits, including economic development, job
creation, cost savings, and improved air quality in and beyond the
boundaries of this state.
(i) Recognizing the potential threat to the environment,
economy, and national security, it is the intent of the Texas
Legislature to create a global climate change commission committed
to working toward mitigating the impacts of global climate change
nationally and internationally.
SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Commission" means the Global Climate Change
Commission.
(2) "Greenhouse gas" has the meaning assigned by
Section 403.028, Government Code.
(3) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
SECTION 3. COMMISSION CREATED; COMPOSITION. (a) The Global
Climate Change Commission is created.
(b) The commission is composed of:
(1) one member appointed by the governor;
(2) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(3) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives;
(4) one member appointed by the most senior member of
the minority party of the house of representatives;
(5) one member appointed by the most senior member of
the minority party of the senate; and
(6) the following members appointed evenly between the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives:
(A) a representative of the public energy sector;
(B) a representative of rural electric
cooperatives;
(C) a representative of the municipal
electricity sector;
(D) two representatives of separate nonprofit
environmental organizations;
(E) three scientists at separate institutions of
higher education, including one climatologist;
(F) an economist from an institution of higher
education;
(G) a representative of business and industry;
(H) a representative of the manufacturing or
mining industry;
(I) a representative of the agriculture or
forestry industry;
(J) a representative of the fossil fuel industry;
(K) a representative from the Health and Human
Services Commission; and
(L) four representatives of the public.
SECTION 4. PRESIDING OFFICER; MEETINGS; COMPENSATION. (a)
The commission shall elect one of its members to serve as presiding
officer.
(b) The commission shall meet at least quarterly and at the
call of the presiding officer.
(c) A commission member is not entitled to receive
compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to
reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by the member while
conducting the business of the commission, as provided by the
General Appropriations Act.
SECTION 5. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. (a) Not later than
September 1, 2016, the commission shall prepare and deliver a
comprehensive inventory and forecast of greenhouse gas emissions in
this state from 2000 to 2030 to the governor, lieutenant governor,
speaker of the house of representatives, state energy conservation
office, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
(b) The commission shall:
(1) design a multiregional, multistate, and
multilateral approach to:
(A) reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
(B) reduce energy demands;
(C) protect public health; and
(D) increase public and private investment in
clean energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable infrastructure;
(2) assess the impact of global climate change on
important matters of national security; and
(3) develop and recommend a portfolio of feasible and
affordable policy options to reduce this state's vulnerability to
the predictable effects of global climate change.
(c) The commission shall submit a preliminary written
report of its activities and progress under Subsection (b) of this
section to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house
of representatives, state energy conservation office, and Texas
Commission on Environmental Quality not later than September 1,
2016. The report must include a comprehensive and coordinated plan
for adapting the state's economy, infrastructure, security
policies, and public health policies to:
(1) address the consequences of global climate change;
and
(2) ensure continued economic global competitiveness.
(d) The commission shall submit a final written report of
its activities and recommendations under Subsection (b) of this
section on or before January 1, 2017, to the legislature, including
the state affairs committee of each house of the legislature.
SECTION 6. APPOINTMENTS. As soon as possible after this Act
takes effect:
(1) the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the
house of representatives, and members of the legislature described
by Section 3 of this Act shall make the appointments required by
that section; and
(2) the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of
the house of representatives or their designees shall meet to
apportion the appointments under Section 3(b)(6) of this Act.
SECTION 7. EXPIRATION. This Act expires and the commission
is abolished effective March 1, 2017.
SECTION 8. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
1, 2015.