86R12640 JAM-D
By: Nevárez H.B. No. 2098
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study by the Texas Water Development Board and the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality regarding the effects of
the construction of a border wall on water quality in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section:
(1) "Board" means the Texas Water Development Board.
(2) "Border wall" means a wall, fence, or other
barrier on the border between the United States and Mexico.
(3) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
(b) The board and the commission jointly shall conduct a
study concerning the effects the construction of a border wall
would have on water quality in this state.
(c) The study must investigate:
(1) whether and to what extent the construction of a
border wall would cause or contribute to drainage problems for
watersheds in this state;
(2) whether and to what extent the construction of a
border wall would cause or contribute to contamination of
groundwater or surface water in this state or other negative
effects on water quality in this state; and
(3) whether certain designs or methods of construction
of a border wall would prevent or mitigate any negative effects
identified under Subdivisions (1) or (2) of this subsection.
(d) Not later than March 1, 2020, the board and the
commission shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor,
and each standing committee of the legislature having primary
jurisdiction over water development and environmental matters a
report of the findings of the study conducted under this section.
(e) This section expires January 1, 2021.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.