88R10888 KBB-F
By: Kacal H.B. No. 3990
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study of existing surface water and groundwater
interaction data.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Board" means the Texas Water Development Board.
(2) "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality.
SECTION 2. SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER DATA COLLECTION.
(a) The board, in cooperation with the commission, shall conduct a
study to:
(1) collect data from existing studies conducted on
the interaction between surface water and groundwater in this
state;
(2) identify areas of the state where there is a lack
of data or are inadequate models on the interaction between surface
water and groundwater; and
(3) determine a method to prioritize the development
of enhanced modeling techniques to collect more data in areas with a
strong degree of surface water and groundwater interaction,
including conducting streamflow gain-loss studies where adequate
data is lacking and increasing long-term monitoring of springflows.
(b) The board and the commission may coordinate with
groundwater conservation districts, groundwater management areas,
river authorities, governmental entities, and institutions of
higher education in collecting existing data and analyses on the
interaction between surface water and groundwater in this state.
SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2024, the
board and commission shall deliver to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each
member of the legislature a report summarizing the findings and
recommendations of the board and commission based on the study
conducted under Section 2 of this Act.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2025.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. 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, 2023.