Drought Bill Looks 50 Years Ahead, Then Expires In 2027

The text as introduced · 402 words

89R200 ANG-D

By: Raymond
H.B. No. 1168

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study by the Texas Division of Emergency Management of

the potential effects of droughts and wildfires in this state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "division" means the

Texas Division of Emergency Management.

SECTION 2. STUDY. (a) The division shall conduct a study

regarding the potential effects of droughts and wildfires in this

state over the next 50 years. The study must include an assessment

of:

(1) the projected ecological effects of droughts and

wildfires, including:

(A) harm to plants, animals, and water bodies;

and

(B) damage to state parks and other public lands;

(2) the projected effects of droughts on the

temperature in urban areas, including:

(A) increases in the demand for energy and water;

(B) demands on public health facilities;

(C) any decline in business productivity; and

(D) any decline in tourism;

(3) the projected economic effects of droughts and

wildfires, including:

(A) agricultural losses; and

(B) damage to infrastructure;

(4) vulnerabilities to droughts and wildfires;

(5) the availability of local resources to combat

wildfires and adapt to droughts; and

(6) potential mitigation strategies for reducing the

risk of and damage caused by droughts and wildfires.

(b) In conducting the study, the division shall solicit and

consider information from:

(1) the Department of Public Safety;

(2) the Department of Agriculture;

(3) the Parks and Wildlife Department;

(4) the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; and

(5) other agencies, municipalities, and environmental

organizations as necessary.

SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than March 1, 2026, the

division shall submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the

speaker of the house of representatives, and each standing

committee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over the

division, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of

Agriculture, the Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Texas

Commission on Environmental Quality a written report that includes

a summary of the study and any legislative recommendations based on

the study.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires January 1, 2027.

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, 2025.