By: Reynolds H.B. No. 77
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of the Climate Change Impact Assessment
Council.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "council" means the Climate
Change Impact Assessment Council established by this Act.
(b) The council is established to study the impact of
climate change on the health, safety, and welfare of the residents
of this state.
(c) The council is composed of the following members:
(1) two members of the senate appointed by the
lieutenant governor;
(2) two members of the house of representatives
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(3) seven members of the public appointed jointly by
the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of
representatives, including:
(A) one member with expertise in climatology;
(B) one member with expertise in this state's
economy;
(C) one member with expertise in land management
and natural resource maintenance; and
(D) one member representing the tourism
industry.
(d) A public member of the council is entitled to
reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by the member while
conducting the business of the council, as provided by the General
Appropriations Act.
(e) The House Committee on Environmental Regulation and the
Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development
shall provide personnel and administrative support to the council
as needed.
(f) The council shall conduct a study to:
(1) assess the current and potential effects of
climate change trends on the residents, natural resources, public
health, and economy of this state;
(2) estimate the costs to this state of adverse
effects associated with climate change;
(3) research measures for preventing or mitigating the
effects of flooding, erosion, drought, and wildfires that may be
caused or worsened by climate change; and
(4) recommend legislation or other regulations to
minimize the adverse impact of climate change on this state.
(g) The council shall hold public hearings in various parts
of this state to gather information related to the study described
in Subsection (f) of this section.
(h) Not later than June 1, 2025, the council shall prepare
and submit a report to the legislature containing the findings of
the study described in Subsection (f) of this section.
(i) The council is abolished and this Act expires September
1, 2025.
SECTION 2. Not later than March 1, 2024, the lieutenant
governor and the speaker of the house of representatives shall
appoint members to the Climate Change Impact Assessment Council as
required by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
last day of the legislative session.