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8 Document(s) [ Subject: Flood control ]

Committee: House Natural Resources
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Coastal barrier systems | Flood control | Groundwater | Groundwater pollution | Gulf Coast Protection District | Interbasin water transfers | Water desalination | Water districts | Water supplies |
Library Call Number:
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [38 pages  File size: 2,424 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 87th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
  • SB 1160, 87th R.S., relating to the creation of the Gulf Coast Protection District and providing the authority to issue bonds; and
  • SB 2185, 87th R.S., relating to restrictions on certain water improvement districts.
2. Explore ways in which the state can further support the construction of a coastal barrier system.
3. Examine the condition of Texas’ water and flood mitigation infrastructure capabilities and consider future infrastructure needs. Evaluate sustainable funding sources to provide for water project development and infrastructure repair and replacement. Examine and make recommendations for cost-effective improvements that enhance the state’s available water supply and improve the state's ability to desalinate seawater.
4. Examine the state’s groundwater management policy and regulatory framework. Include a review of large-scale water transfers and their impact on groundwater resources. Make appropriate recommendations for legislation or state agency action to:
  • promote the achievement of planning goals under Chapter 36, Water Code, including those involving desired future conditions;
  • provide adequate transparency to the permit application process;
  • further the state's groundwater quality protection efforts, including an assessment of risks posed to groundwater by abandoned and deteriorated water wells and orphan oil and gas wells; and
  • promote conservation and waste prevention.
Supporting documents
Committee: House Natural Resources
Title: Committee meeting testimony, August 24, 2022
Library Call Number:
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View document [34 pages  File size: 188 kb]
Committee: Senate Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Border security | Cattle | Daylight saving time | Environmental Quality, Texas Commission on | Flood control | Groundwater | Groundwater conservation districts | Hydraulic fracturing | Infrastructure | Meat processing plants | Produced Water Consortium, Texas | Reservoirs | Rural areas | Rural economic development | Texas State Water Plan | Theft | Undocumented immigrants | Wastewater management | Water conservation | Water Development Board, Texas | Water recycling | Water supplies | Winter Storm Uri | Workforce Commission, Texas |
Library Call Number: L1836.87 W291A
Session: 87th R.S. (2021)
Online version: View report [88 pages  File size: 4,475 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Water Utility Infrastructure: Evaluate the state's water infrastructure. Study and make recommendations on options to upgrade and update water infrastructure to address deferred maintenance, disasters, and water loss.
2. Water Supply: Review and make recommendations to complete specific projects identified in the 2022 State Water Plan. In light of recent changes to the global economy, consider the current regulatory process regarding innovative technology solutions to water supply needs, such as marine desalination, and make recommendations for their improvement.
3. Groundwater Management and Protection: Evaluate the status and effectiveness of the State's groundwater management process, including data used to support regional water planning and conservation goals. Report on the effectiveness of the State's groundwater protection efforts and whether statutory changes are needed to protect groundwater quality.
4. Rural Employment: Study and make recommendations on rural small business development and workforce needs. Consider and recommend innovative methods for business development in rural parts of the state.
5. Daylight Savings Time: Examine and report on how permanently maintaining daylight savings time impacts the agricultural community.
6. Rural Immigration: Consider the Federal government's open border policies and practices of releasing illegal immigrants in rural areas of the state. Report on the impact to rural Texas, and their local ability to address social, health, and law enforcement needs.
7. Meat Packing Facilities: Study the need for additional meat packing facilities in Texas. Evaluate and report on the increased cost to Texas ranchers and revenue lost in the Texas economy when meatpacking facilities are utilized outside of Texas.
8. Agricultural Theft: Study the impact of cattle theft on farming and ranching operations throughout Texas and recommend cost-effective measures to mitigate loss and increase security.
9. Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs passed by the 87th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:
  • SB 8, 86th R.S., Relating to state and regional flood planning;
  • SB 601, 87th R.S., Relating to the creation and activities of the Texas Produced Water Consortium;
  • SB 905, 87th R.S., Relating to guidance on the regulations applicable to the potable reuse of wastewater; and
  • HB 3516, 87th R.S., Relating to the regulation of the recycling of fluid oil and gas waste.
Committee: House Natural Resources
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Aquifers | Environmental Quality, Texas Commission on | Flood control | Groundwater | Public Utility Commission of Texas | Springs | Surface water | Water Development Board, Texas | Water marketing | Water planning | Water supplies |
Library Call Number: L1836.86 N218h
Session: 86th R.S. (2019)
Online version: View report [76 pages  File size: 2,823 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 86th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
  • HJR 4, SB 7, and SB 8, which relate to statewide and regional flood planning and mitigation. Monitor the progress of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) and other entities to provide for the planning, development, and financing of drainage, flood mitigation, and flood control projects statewide to strengthen the state's infrastructure and resiliency to future floods.
  • HB 720, which relates to appropriations of water for recharge of aquifers and use in aquifer storage and recovery projects. Monitor the rulemaking process for the permitting of unappropriated flows for aquifer storage and recovery projects by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).
  • HB 721, which relates to reports on aquifer storage and recovery and aquifer recharge projects. Monitor the implementation by the TWDB of legislation to encourage the development of aquifer storage and recovery and aquifer recharge projects, including the completion of a statewide study of the state's aquifers' suitability for aquifer storage and recovery and aquifer recharge projects.
  • HB 722, which relates to the development of brackish groundwater. Monitor the designation of Brackish Groundwater Production Zones by the TWDB and the adoption of rules by groundwater conservation districts for the production of brackish groundwater from those Zones.
  • HB 807, which relates to the state and regional water planning process. Monitor the appointment of the Interregional Planning Council by the TWDB and the Council's progress toward increasing coordination among Regional Water Planning Groups.
2. Study the efforts of the TCEQ, the TWDB, and the Public Utility Commission of Texas to incentivize, promote, and preserve regional projects to meet water supply needs and encourage public and private investment in water infrastructure. Identify impediments or threats to regionalization with special emphasis on: prioritization in planning and implementing the State Water Plan, Regional Water Plan, and other recommended water supply projects; barriers to private investment and the development of public-private partnerships to implement needed water supply projects, including the retail water and wastewater industry, to address the state's growth challenges; public water and wastewater systems that are unable to meet federal and state standards due to inadequate operational capacity and factors that prevent such systems from being integrated into larger systems and processes that more easily facilitate the sale, transfer, or merger of systems; and state agency authority to regulate regional water supply pricing.
3. Monitor the joint planning process for groundwater and the achievement of the desired conditions for aquifers by groundwater conservation districts.
4. Monitor the State Auditor's review of agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction. The Chair shall seek input and periodic briefings on completed audits for the 2019 and 2020 fiscal years and bring forth pertinent issues for full committee consideration.
5. Study emerging issues related to groundwater-surface water interactions and the ongoing challenges associated with the bifurcated regulatory regimes for each of these water sources. *
6. Study the role of water markets in Texas. *
Committee: Senate Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs
Title: Interim Report - Hurricane Harvey
Subjects: Addicks Reservoir | Barker Reservoir | Dams and levees | Emergency communications | Emergency management | Flood control | Flooding | Rain and rainfall | Reservoirs | Texas State Water Plan |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 Ag86r
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [140 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study and make recommendations on how to move forward with water infrastructure projects in the State Water Plan that will help mitigate floods through flood control, diversion, and storage projects. Evaluate plans for a possible third reservoir in addition to Addicks and Barker to control and alleviate additional flooding in the region. Additionally, review the current status of reservoir projects in Texas. Examine opportunities for coordination between federal and state agencies to develop flood mitigation infrastructure, and the ongoing maintenance and restoration of critical dam infrastructure.
2. Study and identify ways to improve the capacity and maintain the structure of the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs. Report on mechanisms that would ensure the public has access to timely and transparent release figures from reservoirs across the state.
3. Evaluate current state data-sharing standards for rainfall and stream gauges and whether regional flood management projects and flood warnings should be hosted in a centralized location, such as a state agency web page. Determine whether a statewide real-time flood warning system could be developed and coordinated through mobile devices, TxDOT electronic signage, communication devices and whether existing local and regional forecasting infrastructure could be integrated into a centralized inclement weather forecasting system.
Committee: Senate Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Addicks Reservoir | Agriculture | Barker Reservoir | Dams and levees | Emergency communications | Emergency management | Environmental permits | Environmental Quality, Texas Commission on | Flood control | Flooding | Groundwater | Groundwater conservation districts | Occupational licenses | Rain and rainfall | Reservoirs | River authorities | Texas State Water Plan | Water rights |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 Ag86r
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [36 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Study and make recommendations on how to move forward with water infrastructure projects in the State Water Plan that will help mitigate floods through flood control, diversion, and storage projects. Evaluate plans for a possible third reservoir in addition to Addicks and Barker to control and alleviate additional flooding in the region. Additionally, review the current status of reservoir projects in Texas. Examine opportunities for coordination between federal and state agencies to develop flood mitigation infrastructure, and the ongoing maintenance and restoration of critical dam infrastructure.
2. Study and identify ways to improve the capacity and maintain the structure of the Addicks and Barker Reservoirs. Report on mechanisms that would ensure the public has access to timely and transparent release figures from reservoirs across the state.
3. Evaluate current state data-sharing standards for rainfall and stream gauges and whether regional flood management projects and flood warnings should be hosted in a centralized location, such as a state agency web page. Determine whether a statewide real-time flood warning system could be developed and coordinated through mobile devices, TxDOT electronic signage, communication devices and whether existing local and regional forecasting infrastructure could be integrated into a centralized inclement weather forecasting system.
4. Streamlining Water Permitting: Study and recommend changes that promote streamlining of water right permit issuance and the amendment process by the TCEQ for surface water, and that promote uniform and streamline permitting by groundwater conservation districts for groundwater. Evaluate more transparent process needs and proper valuation of water.
5. Regulatory Framework of Groundwater Conservation Districts and River Authorities: Study and make recommendations on the regulatory framework for managing groundwater in Texas to ensure that private property rights are being sufficiently protected. Study the role of river authorities and groundwater conservation districts including the state's oversight role of their operations and fees imposed.
6. Agricultural Fees: Review licensing, permitting, or registration requirements and fees imposed on the agriculture industry by licensing agencies within the committee's jurisdiction. Make recommendations for state licenses and fees that should be reduced, repealed or transitioned to private-sector enforcement.
7. Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs during the 85th R.S., including, but not limited to: • SB 1511 (prioritization in the regional water plan); • SB 1538 (Floodplain Management Account uses); • SB 864 (GCD application of state water); • HB 2004 (Texas economic development fund for TDA); and • HB 3433 (adoption of rules affecting rural communities. Make recommendations for any legislative improvements needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation including regional water planning, flood planning, and groundwater production.)
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Alternatives to incarceration | Counties | County budgets | County employees | Criminal justice | Emergency management | Flood control | Flooding | Hurricane Harvey | Infrastructure | Land use regulations | Mentally ill inmates | Natural disasters | Salaries |
Library Call Number: L1836.85 C832
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View report [75 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine how emergency response activities are organized, funded, and coordinated. Review the impact of natural disasters on county finances. Identify any deficiencies in authority for the most populous counties related to infrastructure planning, emergency response, and recovery. Explore ways to improve efficiencies and manage costs while protecting public safety. Additionally, study the relationship between the state, counties, non-governmental organizations, and churches in preparing for and responding to Hurricane Harvey and its aftermath, and determine if preparedness plans are adequate.
2. Evaluate whether counties have the necessary ordinance-making and enforcement authority to deal with flood risk in unincorporated rural and suburban areas of Texas. Additionally, examine whether counties have adequate resources and authority to ensure that new development in unincorporated areas is not susceptible to flooding.
3. Study how counties identify defendants' and inmates' behavioral health needs and deferral opportunities to appropriate rehabilitative and transition services. Consider models for ensuring defendants and inmates with mental illness receive appropriate services upon release from the criminal justice system.
4. Review the population limitations found in Local Government Code Section 154.041 and Local Government Code Section 113.047. Determine if counties with a population below 190,000 could benefit from the population limitations being removed.
5. Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature.
Supporting documents
Committee: House County Affairs
Title: Committee meeting handouts and testimony, August 23, 2018 (emergency response, county flood ordinances, inmate behavioral health needs)
Library Call Number:
Session: 85th R.S. (2017)
Online version: View document [174 pages  File size: 12,880 kb]

* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.

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