Bill Text: TX SB1597 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Engrossed
Bill Title: Relating to a requirement that the General Land Office conduct an evaluation and submit a report regarding the use of wind and solar power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property owned by the state.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-05-17 - Left pending in committee [SB1597 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-SB1597-Engrossed.html
| By: Rodríguez | S.B. No. 1597 | |
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| relating to a requirement that the General Land Office conduct an | ||
| evaluation and submit a report regarding the use of wind and solar | ||
| power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property owned by | ||
| the state. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "land office" means the | ||
| General Land Office. | ||
| SECTION 2. EVALUATION. (a) The land office shall conduct | ||
| an evaluation to identify: | ||
| (1) the economic potential for using wind and solar | ||
| power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property owned by | ||
| the state; and | ||
| (2) possible pilot sites that have the best potential | ||
| for the implementation of a pilot program for the purpose described | ||
| by Subdivision (1) of this subsection. | ||
| (b) In conducting the evaluation, the land office shall: | ||
| (1) use information developed as a result of the study | ||
| conducted under Chapter 620 (S.B. 991), Acts of the 84th | ||
| Legislature, Regular Session, 2015; and | ||
| (2) consult with representatives of the private sector | ||
| with expertise in the desalination of brackish groundwater and the | ||
| generation of wind and solar power. | ||
| (c) In conducting the evaluation, the land office may: | ||
| (1) request data from any state agency; and | ||
| (2) coordinate with a research division of a | ||
| university. | ||
| (d) An agency or a research division that receives a request | ||
| under Subsection (c) of this section shall provide the requested | ||
| data or assistance. | ||
| (e) The evaluation shall include: | ||
| (1) recommendations for one or more possible pilot | ||
| sites for the implementation of a pilot program for using wind and | ||
| solar power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property | ||
| owned by the state; | ||
| (2) an evaluation of opportunities for the state to | ||
| generate revenue from using wind and solar power for the purpose | ||
| described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection; and | ||
| (3) proposed strategies for using wind and solar power | ||
| for the purpose described by Subdivision (1) of this subsection in | ||
| an economically viable way. | ||
| SECTION 3. REPORT. (a) Not later than December 31, 2018, | ||
| the land office shall report the results of the evaluation | ||
| conducted under this Act to the governor and the legislature. | ||
| (b) The report described by this section may not disclose | ||
| information that is excepted from the requirements of Section | ||
| 552.021, Government Code. | ||
| SECTION 4. 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, 2017. | ||
