Texas Senate Bill SB306

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to information on projected changes in weather, water availability, and climate variability in strategic plans of certain state agencies.

Impact

The implementation of SB306 is expected to have significant implications for Texas state agencies, particularly those involved in agriculture, environmental quality, and water management. By mandating that agencies consider the impacts of climate variability, the bill seeks to ensure that state governments are proactive in adapting their strategic plans to address environmental changes. The introduction of these requirements may lead to increased collaboration between agencies and a more unified approach to managing resources at the state level.

Summary

Senate Bill 306 aims to enhance the strategic planning of certain state agencies by incorporating comprehensive projections related to climate variability, water availability, and weather changes. Specifically, it amends Section 2056.002 of the Government Code, requiring agencies to include analyses of expected changes and their potential impact on services in their strategic plans. This information is designed to help agencies prepare for future challenges posed by climate change and effectively manage their resources.

Contention

While the bill has received support for its focus on long-term strategic planning, there are likely points of contention regarding the feasibility of the required analyses and projections. Some stakeholders may argue that the heightened requirements could lead to increased bureaucratic challenges or resource allocation issues for the agencies. Moreover, there may be concerns over the accuracy and reliability of projections made by the Texas state climatologist, as this has the potential to affect budgeting and planning processes across various agencies. The need for financial resources to implement the proposed strategies and partnerships may also spark debate among legislators.