Subject search results

10 Document(s) [ Subject: Texas State Water Plan ]

Committee: Senate Finance
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Broadband infrastructure | Centennial Parks Conservation Fund | Electric Reliability Council of Texas | Electricity transmission and distribution | Film Commission, Texas | Film industry | Foundation School Program | Homestead exemptions | Mental health services | Parks and Wildlife, Texas Department of | Property taxes | Public Utility Commission of Texas | Recapture (School finance) | School enrollment | School finance | State hospitals | State parks | Tax relief | Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund | Texas Energy Fund | Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program | Texas State Water Plan | Texas Water Fund | Water Development Board, Texas | Water service | Winter Storm Uri | Winter weather |
Library Call Number: L1836.88 F49
Session: 88th R.S. (2023)
Online version: View report [68 pages  File size: 2,276 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Continue Cutting Property Taxes: Identify the best combination to further increase the amount of homestead exemption and compression to continue cutting Texans' property taxes. Additionally, establish and report on the cost of eliminating:
  • School maintenance and operation property taxes;
  • All school property taxes; and
  • All property taxes.
Determine the fiscal consequences of each action, including whether revenue reallocations would be required for public education funding and local government funding, and impacts on the state's ability to respond to disasters and other urgent priorities. For example, determine the effect on other state programs if general revenue were used to fully replace school property taxes, particularly during economic downturns. Evaluate and report on how much state revenue would need to be generated to replace foregone property tax revenue, and from what source.
2. Mental Health Services and Inpatient Facilities: Monitor the implementation of SB 30, 88th R.S., with regard to appropriations made for expanding mental health services and inpatient facilities across the state. Report on the progress of inpatient facility construction projects. Assess and report on the effectiveness of spending on mental health services.
3. Monitor Property Tax Relief and Infrastructure Funds: Monitor the appropriations supporting, and implementation of, the following legislation passed during the 88th Legislature, Regular or Special Sessions, and approved by voters, amending the Texas Constitution:
  • Property Tax Relief: SB 2, 88th 2nd C.S. and HJR 2, 88th 2nd C.S.;
  • Texas Energy Fund: SB 2627, 88th R.S. and SJR 93, 88th R.S.;
  • Texas Water Fund: SB 28, 88th R.S. and SJR 75, 88th R.S.;
  • Centennial Parks Conservation Fund: SB 1648, 88th R.S. and SJR 74, 88th R.S.; and
  • Broadband Infrastructure Fund: HB 9, 88th R.S. and HJR 125, 88th R.S.
4. School Enrollment Trends: Study post-pandemic student enrollment trends, and examine the possible causes behind the shift in student enrollment, including the rise in homeschooling, micro-schools, and other parental choice options. Make recommendations to ensure parents and educators have the tools and resources needed to respond to the projected enrollment changes and ensure that every child has the best educational options available to learn.
5. Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program: Review the expenditure of funds appropriated to the Texas Film Commission for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) by the 88th Legislature and assess the effectiveness of the program in promoting media production and stimulating local economies through job creation and business growth. Analyze application trends before and after the appropriation, with attention to high- profile or large-budget productions. Additionally, review other states and international incentive programs and evaluate Texas's workforce and educational needs in media production. Provide recommendations to improve the TMIIIP’s transparency and enhance Texas's competitive position.
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: 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: Senate Agriculture, Water, and Rural Affairs
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Agriculture, Texas Department of | Animal diseases | Chronic Wasting disease | Deer | Flooding | Groundwater | Groundwater conservation districts | Interbasin water transfers | Junior water rights | Liens | Litter | Surface water | Texas State Water Plan | Water rights |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 AG86r
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [98 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Surface Water/Groundwater: Study and make recommendations regarding the ownership, production, and transfer of surface water and groundwater in the state of Texas.
2. State Water Plan: Study and make recommendations on improving the process of developing and executing the State Water Plan.
3. Agricultural Liens: Study and make recommendations on improving the law in this state regarding agricultural liens under Chapter 70, Agricultural Code. The study should include whether sufficient safeguards exist to protect the financial interest agricultural producers have in their product.
4. Water Litter: Study and make recommendations on the effects of windblown and waterborne litter. The study should include an analysis of the economic effects of litter, any necessary methods to prevent and remediate litter, and an assessment of state and local programs to reduce litter.
5. Game & Ag. Product Safety: Study and make recommendations on improving the laws regarding the management of game animals, production of domestic fowl, and development of agricultural products in the State to reduce the occurrence and spread of disease and harmful pests.
6. Promotion of Texas Agriculture: Study the economic benefits the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Market Development Services provide to the state through promoting Texas Agricultural products. Review the current marketing services and strategies available to Texas producers and determine additional resources necessary to increase the Market Development Services capabilities. Make recommendations for legislative action, if needed.
7. Monitoring Charge: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs during the 84th R.S., and make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. Specifically monitor the Texas Water Development Board's process in the identification and designation of brackish groundwater zones.
Committee: House Natural Resources
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Coastal restoration | Environmental flows | Groundwater | Gulf Coast | Oil spills | Texas State Water Plan | Water conservation | Water desalination | Water marketing | Water planning |
Library Call Number: L1836.84 N218h
Session: 84th R.S. (2015)
Online version: View report [51 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Examine the regional and state water planning processes, with emphasis on the following: a. the integration of HB 4, 83 RS; b. the appropriate role of the state in ensuring that the process both supports regional goals and priorities and the water needs of the state as a whole, and how the state might encourage strategies to benefit multiple regions; c. the structure and operation of the regional planning groups; d. the interaction between the planning process and groundwater management; e. whether the "drought of record" remains the appropriate benchmark for planning; and f. any impediments to meeting the conservation, agricultural, and rural project goals set by HB 4, 83rd R.S., and possible new approaches to help meet these goals.
2. Evaluate the status of water markets in Texas and the potential benefits and challenges of expanded markets for water. Include an evaluation of greater interconnections between water systems through both engineered and natural infrastructure. Examine opportunities for incentives from areas receiving water supplies to areas providing those supplies that could benefit each area and the state as a whole.
3. Analyze the factors contributing to freshwater loss in the state, including evaporation, excess flows into the Gulf of Mexico, and infrastructure inefficiencies, and examine techniques to prevent such losses, including aquifer storage and recovery, off-channel storage, and infrastructure enhancements.
4. Evaluate the progress of seawater desalination projects near the Texas coast as a means of increasing water supplies and reducing strain on existing supplies, building on the work of the Joint Interim Committee to Study Water Desalination (83rd session). Examine the viability of the use of public-private partnerships and of methods by which the state might facilitate such a project.
5. Monitor the use of funds made available to Texas in relation to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Consider approaches to maximize the benefit of these funds for the long-term stability of the coastal economy and ecosystems.
6. Evaluate the status of legislation to encourage joint groundwater planning, including HB 200 (84R), and monitor ongoing legal developments concerning ownership and access to groundwater and the impact of these developments on property rights and groundwater management.
7. Determine the sources of water used by Texans in the production of food and fiber, and examine current water delivery methods and water conservation goals for agricultural use. Evaluate whether there are more efficient and effective water-usage management practices that could be employed in the agricultural industry, and determine the impact of crop insurance requirements on producers. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock)
8. Determine if sufficient safety standards exist to protect groundwater contamination from disposal and injection wells. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Energy Resources)
9. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 84th Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs; and e. review the surface water permitting process in Texas, including previous legislative attempts to modify the process, and assess the potential effects of these and other changes.
Committee: House Natural Resources
Title: Interim Report
Subjects: Aquifers | Environmental flows | Groundwater | Oil spills | Texas State Water Plan | Water finance | Water supplies |
Library Call Number: L1836.83 N218h
Session: 83rd R.S. (2013)
Online version: View report [112 pages]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Monitor the implementation of HB 4, 83rd R.S. and SJR 1, 83rd R.S. and the progress of the Texas Water Development Board and other entities in implementing this legislation to provide a stable, long-term funding source for the State Water Plan.
2. Evaluate the availability, management, and development of groundwater in the state. Consider the economic, environmental, and social impacts of groundwater usage and production in the agricultural, municipal, and energy sectors. In particular, examine methods to facilitate further development of brackish groundwater resources and to improve the consistency and certainty of permitting by groundwater districts without undercutting reasonable regional and local regulation of groundwater.
3. Explore opportunities to encourage voluntary protection and stewardship of privately owned lands in support of the state’s water supply and to protect environmental flow needs in Texas rivers. Examine methods in which state agencies, water rights holders, and non-governmental organizations can work together through programs like the Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program and the Texas Water Trust.
4. Examine strategies to enhance the use of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) projects, including a review of existing ASR facilities in Texas and elsewhere.
5. Monitor the use of funds provided or made available to Texas in relation to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and make recommendations on the appropriate use of these funds in the future. (Joint charge with the House Committee on Appropriations)
6. Conduct legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature. In conducting this oversight, the committee should: a. consider any reforms to state agencies to make them more responsive to Texas taxpayers and citizens; b. identify issues regarding the agency or its governance that may be appropriate to investigate, improve, remedy, or eliminate; c. determine whether an agency is operating in a transparent and efficient manner; and d. identify opportunities to streamline programs and services while maintaining the mission of the agency and its programs.
Committee: House Natural Resources
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: House Committee on Natural Resources, Texas House of Representatives interim report, 2010 : a report to the House of Representatives, 82nd Texas Legislature
Subjects: Droughts | Groundwater | Groundwater conservation districts | Texas State Water Plan | Water conservation | Water desalination | Water planning | Water service |
Library Call Number: L1836.81 N218h
Session: 81st R.S. (2009)
Online version: View report [89 pages  File size: 879 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. Evaluate groundwater regulations and permitting processes throughout the state, including the role of state agencies in groundwater management, the development of desired future conditions, and the adoption of groundwater management plans in relation to regional and state water planning.
2. Monitor the effects of current and proposed federal initiatives that could impact the implementation of the State Water Plan. Evaluate the policies and investments developed by other states dealing with water issues similar to the State of Texas.
3. Monitor ongoing drought conditions and initiatives to promote water conservation through the review of the following: state requirements for the submittal of water conservation plans and annual reporting; the "trigger" for use of drought contingency plans; recommendations by state agencies and the Water Conservation Advisory Council; and progress toward the development of recycled water resources and desalination projects.
4. Evaluate the regulatory model for investor-owned water and sewer utilities, including rate case process and timing, consultant fee recovery, overall cost reductions, and more effective consumer participation.
5. Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction.
Committee: Senate Natural Resources
Title: Interim Report - Water Issues
Library Catalog Title: The Senate Committee on Natural Resources interim report to the 80th Legislature : water issues
Subjects: Droughts | Interbasin water transfers | Texas State Water Plan | Water conservation | Water marketing | Water planning | Water rights |
Library Call Number: L1836.79 N219w
Session: 79th R.S. (2005)
Online version: View report [381 pages  File size: 47,137 kb]
Charge: This report should address the charge below.
1. Study and assess all issues related to ground and surface water law, policy and management, including, but not limited to:
  • the role of federal, state, regional and local governments, including river authorities and other water management entities, and their jurisdiction, authority, and coordination in setting consistent, nondiscriminatory water policies;
  • the statutory, regulatory, and/or economic impediments to implementing key water management strategies recommended in the Regional and State Water Plans;
  • the role of groundwater conservation districts;
  • conjunctive use of both ground and surface water resources;
  • rule of capture;
  • historic use standards;
  • water infrastructure and financing, including financing sources for new water resources;
  • interbasin transfers;
  • water rights, including environmental flows, junior water rights;
  • the transition of water rights from agricultural to municipal and industrial uses and coordination among transitioning water management authorities;
  • conservation;
  • drought preparedness;
  • and water marketing.
Committee: House Natural Resources
Title: Interim Report
Library Catalog Title: Report of the Texas House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee : a report to the House of Representatives, 66th Texas Legislature.
Subjects: Lower Colorado River Authority | Texas State Water Plan | Water planning | Water Resources, Texas Department of | Water rights |
Library Call Number: L1836.65 n219
Session: 65th R.S. (1977)
Online version: View report [45 pages  File size: 1,340 kb]
Charges: This report should address the charges below.
1. A review of the necessity, advisability and feasibility of the Texas Water Plan as recently revised by the Texas Water Development Board.
2. Oversight responsibility of agency expenditures and related transactions. This function shall encompass a review and monitoring of all appropriations-related actions of those agencies assigned to this committee for appropriative purposes during the 65th Regular Session of the Legislature, to wit: Texas Coastal and Marine Council Department of Water Resources Water Well Driller's Board
3. A study and continuing review of the Department of Water Resources and legislative functions to improve the functioning of said agency.
4. A study of the progress being made under the Texas Water Rights Adjudication Act.
5. A study of the legal nature of the claims of the Lower Colorado River Authority with respect to that agency's water rights.

Information on this website is provided as a public service by the Legislative Reference Library. The Legislative Reference Library makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy and makes no warranty in regard to its use. Users assume all risk of reliance on the information included on this site.