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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the matters to be considered in developing the state |
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water plan. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 16.051(a-1) and (d), Water Code, are |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a-1) The state water plan must include: |
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(1) an assessment of the best available science |
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related to trends in factors affecting: |
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(A) future water availability, including |
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precipitation, evaporation, storage capacity, and environmental |
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flow needs; and |
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(B) future water use, including technologies for |
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water conservation, purification, and reuse; |
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(2) an evaluation of the state's progress in meeting |
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future water needs, including an evaluation of the extent to which |
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water management strategies and projects implemented after the |
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adoption of the preceding state water plan have affected that |
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progress; and |
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(3) [(2)] an analysis of the number of projects |
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included in the preceding state water plan that received financial |
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assistance from the board. |
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(d) The board, in coordination with the commission, the |
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Department of Agriculture, and the Parks and Wildlife Department, |
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shall adopt by rule guidance principles for the state water plan |
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which reflect the public interest of the entire state. When |
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adopting guidance principles, due consideration shall be given to |
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the best available science related to forecasting future water |
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availability, the environmental flow standards and environmental |
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flow set-asides adopted by the commission under Section 11.1471, |
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the construction and improvement of surface water and groundwater |
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resources, and the application of principles that result in |
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voluntary redistribution of water resources. The board shall |
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review and update the guidance principles, with input from the |
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commission, the Department of Agriculture, and the Parks and |
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Wildlife Department, as necessary but at least every five years to |
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coincide with the five-year cycle for adoption of a new water plan |
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as described in Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies to the state water plan required |
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to be adopted by the Texas Water Development Board beginning with |
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the 2017 state water plan. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |