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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the development of a climate adaptation plan by certain |
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entities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 5, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 393 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 393. CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLAN |
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Sec. 393.001. PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. Not later than |
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September 1 of each even-numbered year, each of the following |
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entities shall publish a climate adaptation plan that will assess |
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the entity's role with respect to climate change: |
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(1) the Department of Agriculture; |
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(2) the independent organization certified under |
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Section 39.151, Utilities Code; |
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(3) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; |
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(4) the General Land Office; |
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(5) the Health and Human Services Commission; |
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(6) the Texas Department of Housing and Community |
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Affairs; |
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(7) the Texas Department of Insurance; |
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(8) the Parks and Wildlife Department; |
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(9) the Department of Public Safety of the State of |
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Texas; |
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(10) the Public Utility Commission of Texas; |
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(11) the office of the comptroller; |
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(12) the Texas Department of Transportation; |
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(13) the Texas Forest Service; and |
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(14) the Texas Water Development Board. |
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Sec. 393.002. PLAN. (a) Each climate adaptation plan must |
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include: |
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(1) a climate change vulnerability assessment; |
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(2) a review of existing programs in the context of |
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anticipated changing climate conditions; |
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(3) specific steps necessary for the entity to fulfill |
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its mission during the anticipated climate change; |
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(4) an analysis of the effects implementing the steps |
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identified under Subdivision (3) would have on the entity's budget |
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during the next 2, 5, and 10 years; |
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(5) potential sources of funding to support the |
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entity's efforts to adapt to climate change; and |
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(6) a statewide strategy to monitor the continuing |
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effects of climate change. |
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(b) In developing a climate adaptation plan, each entity |
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subject to this section shall: |
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(1) consider the most current assessment report |
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created by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; and |
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(2) consult with at least one institution of higher |
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education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. |
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(c) Not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year, |
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each entity subject to this section shall post the entity's climate |
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adaptation plan on a publicly accessible Internet website and |
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electronically submit a copy of the plan to: |
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(1) the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of |
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the house of representatives; |
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(2) the presiding officer of each standing committee |
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or subcommittee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over |
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environmental matters; and |
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(3) the executive director of the Texas Commission on |
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Environmental Quality. |
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(d) Each climate adaptation plan is subject to audit by the |
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state auditor in accordance with Chapter 321, Government Code. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |