HB 866

relating to the creation of the Climate Change Impact Assessment
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
(c)  The council is composed of the following members:
(1)  two members of the senate appointed by the
(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
(A)  one member with expertise in climatology;
(B)  one member with expertise in this state's
(C)  one member with expertise in land management
and natural resource maintenance; and
(D)  one member representing the tourism
(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
(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
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
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.