89R6259 GP-F     By: Miles, Cook S.B. No. 2296       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the development of a severe weather adaptation plan by   certain entities.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding   Chapter 795 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 795. SEVERE WEATHER ADAPTATION PLAN          Sec. 795.001.  PARTICIPATING ENTITIES. Not later than   September 1 of each even-numbered year, each of the following   entities shall publish a severe weather adaptation plan to assess   the entity's role with respect to severe weather events:                (1)  the Department of Agriculture;                (2)  the Department of Public Safety of the State of   Texas;                (3)  the General Land Office;                (4)  the Health and Human Services Commission;                (5)  the independent organization certified under   Section 39.151, Utilities Code, for the ERCOT power region;                (6)  the office of the comptroller;                (7)  the Parks and Wildlife Department;                (8)  the Public Utility Commission of Texas;                (9)  the Texas A&M Forest Service;                (10)  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;                (11)  the Texas Department of Housing and Community   Affairs;                (12)  the Texas Department of Insurance;                (13)  the Texas Department of Transportation;                (14)  the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and                (15)  the Texas Water Development Board.          Sec. 795.002.  PLAN. For purposes of this chapter, a severe   weather adaptation plan is a strategy to identify, minimize, and   adequately prepare for the effects of an increased incidence and   prevalence of severe weather on the social, economic, and   ecological systems of this state and to manage the risks associated   with severe weather. A plan under this section must be based on   current research-based science that identifies the likely effects   on this state from severe weather events.          Sec. 795.003.  CONTENTS OF PLAN. (a) An entity's severe   weather adaptation plan must include:                (1)  a severe weather vulnerability assessment;                (2)  a review of existing programs in the context of   severe weather events;                (3)  specific steps necessary for the entity to fulfill   its mission during severe weather events;                (4)  an analysis of the effects implementing the steps   identified under Subdivision (3) would have on the entity's budget   during the next 2, 5, and 10 years;                (5)  potential sources of funding to support the   entity's efforts to adapt to an increased incidence and prevalence   of severe weather events; and                (6)  a statewide strategy to monitor the continuing   effects of severe weather events.          (b)  In developing a severe weather adaptation plan, each   entity subject to this chapter shall consult with:                (1)  the Houston Advanced Research Center; and                (2)  the Office of the Texas State Climatologist in the   Department of Atmospheric Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences,   Texas A&M University.          Sec. 795.004.  POSTING OF PLAN. Not later than September 1   of each even-numbered year, each entity subject to this chapter   shall post the entity's severe weather adaptation plan on a   publicly accessible Internet website and electronically submit a   copy of the plan to:                (1)  the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of   the house of representatives;                (2)  the presiding officer of each standing committee   or subcommittee of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over   environmental matters; and                (3)  the executive director of the Texas Commission on   Environmental Quality.          Sec. 795.005.  AUDIT OF PLAN. A severe weather adaptation   plan is subject to audit by the state auditor in accordance with   Chapter 321.          SECTION 2.  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.