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S.B. No. 1094
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a task force to evaluate matters
regarding water conservation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "task force" means the
water conservation implementation task force created under Section
2 of this Act.
SECTION 2. WATER CONSERVATION IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE.
(a) The Texas Water Development Board shall select members of the
water conservation implementation task force to represent the
following entities and interest groups from applicants recommended
by the following entities and interest groups:
(1) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;
(2) Department of Agriculture;
(3) Parks and Wildlife Department;
(4) State Soil and Water Conservation Board;
(5) Texas Water Development Board;
(6) regional water planning groups;
(7) federal agencies;
(8) municipalities;
(9) groundwater conservation districts;
(10) river authorities;
(11) environmental groups;
(12) irrigation districts;
(13) industries;
(14) institutional water users;
(15) professional organizations focused on water
conservation; and
(16) higher education.
(b) The executive administrator of the Texas Water
Development Board or the administrator's designee is the presiding
officer of the task force.
SECTION 3. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force shall
review, evaluate, and recommend optimum levels of water use
efficiency and conservation for the state by:
(1) identifying, evaluating, and selecting best
management practices for municipal, industrial, and agricultural
water uses and evaluating the costs and benefits for the selected
best management practices;
(2) evaluating the implementation of water
conservation strategies recommended in regional and state water
plans;
(3) considering the need to establish and maintain a
statewide public awareness program for water conservation;
(4) evaluating the proper role, if any, for state
funding of incentive programs that may facilitate the
implementation of best management practices and water conservation
strategies;
(5) advising the Texas Water Development Board and the
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on:
(A) a standardized methodology for reporting and
using per capita water use data;
(B) establishing per capita water use targets and
goals, accounting for such local effects as climate and
demographics; and
(C) other possible uses as appropriate; and
(6) evaluating the appropriate state oversight and
support of any conservation initiatives adopted by the legislature.
SECTION 4. ASSISTANCE OF STATE AGENCIES. The task force may
request the assistance of state agencies, departments, or offices
to carry out its duties, including necessary staff support.
SECTION 5. PUBLIC MEETINGS. The task force may hold public
meetings as needed to fulfill its duties under this Act.
SECTION 6. BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES GUIDE; REPORT. Not
later than November 1, 2004, the task force shall develop a best
management practices guide for use by regional water planning
groups and political subdivisions responsible for water delivery
service and shall make a final report to the lieutenant governor,
the speaker of the house of representatives, and the legislature
evaluating the issues described in Section 3 of this Act.
SECTION 7. EXPIRATION OF ACT AND ABOLITION OF TASK FORCE.
This Act expires and the task force is abolished on January 1, 2005.
SECTION 8. 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, 2003.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1094 passed the Senate on
April 22, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1094 passed the House on
May 6, 2003, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, two present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor