84R647 JRR-D
By: Ellis S.B. No. 77
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 395 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 395. CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLAN
Sec. 395.001. PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. Not later than
September 1, 2016, and before the end of each successive four-year
period after that date, 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) each independent organization certified under
Section 39.151, Utilities Code;
(3) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
(4) the General Land Office;
(5) the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs;
(6) the Texas Department of Insurance;
(7) the Parks and Wildlife Department;
(8) the Department of Public Safety of the State of
Texas;
(9) the Public Utility Commission of Texas;
(10) the office of the comptroller;
(11) the Texas A&M Forest Service; and
(12) the Texas Water Development Board.
Sec. 395.002. 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 climate change on the social,
economic, and ecological systems of this state and to manage the
risks associated with a changing climate. A plan under this chapter
must be based on current peer-reviewed climate science that
identifies the likely impacts of rising ambient temperatures,
rising sea levels, and changes in precipitation patterns 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 5 and 10 years;
(5) potential sources of funding to support the
entity's efforts to adapt to climate change;
(6) a statewide strategy to monitor the continuing
effects that climate change may have on the entity's ability to
fulfill the entity's missions; and
(7) a written statement by the Texas state
climatologist regarding the adequacy of the scientific basis of the
plan.
(c) In developing a climate adaptation plan, each entity
subject to this chapter shall:
(1) consider the most current assessment reports
created by the United States Global Change Research Program; and
(2) consult with the Texas state climatologist or
another climate expert employed at a Texas institution of higher
education or nonprofit research institution.
(d) Not later than September 1, 2016, and before the end of
each successive four-year period after that date, each entity
subject to this chapter 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, 2015.