HB866 - Relating to the creation of the Climate Change Impact Assessment Council.

  89R4537 JTZ-D     By: Reynolds H.B. No. 866       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the creation of the Climate Change Impact Assessment   Council.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  (a) In this section, "council" means the Climate   Change Impact Assessment Council established by this Act.          (b)  The council is established to study the impact of   climate change on the health, safety, and welfare of the residents   of this state.          (c)  The council is composed of the following members:                (1)  two members of the senate appointed by the   lieutenant governor;                (2)  two members of the house of representatives   appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and                (3)  seven members of the public appointed jointly by   the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of   representatives, including:                      (A)  one member with expertise in climatology;                      (B)  one member with expertise in this state's   economy;                      (C)  one member with expertise in land management   and natural resource maintenance; and                      (D)  one member representing the tourism   industry.          (d)  A public member of the council is entitled to   reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by the member while   conducting the business of the council, as provided by the General   Appropriations Act.          (e)  Each legislative standing committee with primary   jurisdiction over environmental regulation shall provide any   needed personnel and administrative support to the council.          (f)  The council shall conduct a study to:                (1)  assess the current and potential effects of   climate change trends on the residents, natural resources, public   health, and economy of this state;                (2)  estimate the costs to this state of adverse   effects associated with climate change;                (3)  research measures for preventing or mitigating the   effects of flooding, erosion, drought, and wildfires that may be   caused or worsened by climate change; and                (4)  recommend legislation or other regulations to   minimize the adverse impact of climate change on this state.          (g)  The council shall hold public hearings in various parts   of this state to gather information related to the study described   in Subsection (f) of this section.          (h)  Not later than January 1, 2027, the council shall   prepare and submit a report to the legislature containing the   results of the study described in Subsection (f) of this section.          (i)  The council is abolished and this Act expires September   1, 2027.          SECTION 2.  Not later than December 1, 2025, the lieutenant   governor and the speaker of the house of representatives shall   appoint members to the Climate Change Impact Assessment Council as   required by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.