85R8071 JXC-D
By: Farrar H.B. No. 1536
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report by the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality on the use of green stormwater infrastructure
in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 5, Water Code, is amended
by adding Section 5.136 to read as follows:
Sec. 5.136. STUDY AND REPORT ON GREEN STORMWATER
INFRASTRUCTURE. (a) In this section, "green stormwater
infrastructure" means stormwater infrastructure that reduces and
treats stormwater at the source using vegetation, soils, and other
elements and practices to restore some of the natural processes
required to manage stormwater. The term includes the use of rain
gardens, rainwater harvesting systems, and permeable pavement.
(b) The commission shall study the installation and use of
green stormwater infrastructure in this state.
(c) As part of the commission's biannual reports under
Section 5.178, the commission shall include a written report that
includes:
(1) an estimate of the amount of stormwater managed
using green stormwater infrastructure in this state;
(2) a description of barriers to installing and using
green stormwater infrastructure;
(3) recommendations to increase the installation and
use of green stormwater infrastructure;
(4) goals for increased installation and use of green
stormwater infrastructure in this state; and
(5) progress made toward achieving the goals required
under Subdivision (4) from the previous report.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.