This section creates the Texas environmental flows science advisory committee, sets its membership and terms, and requires reporting about recommendations.
Sec. 11.02361. TEXAS ENVIRONMENTAL FLOWS SCIENCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The Texas environmental flows science advisory committee consists of at least five but not more than nine members appointed by the advisory group. (b) The advisory group shall appoint to the science advisory committee persons who will provide an objective perspective and diverse technical expertise, including expertise in hydrology, hydraulics, water resources, aquatic and terrestrial biology, geomorphology, geology, water quality, computer modeling, and other technical areas pertinent to the evaluation of environmental flows. (c) Members of the science advisory committee serve five-year terms expiring March 1. A vacancy on the science advisory committee is filled by appointment by the co-presiding officers of the advisory group for the unexpired term. (d) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the size, composition, or duration of the science advisory committee. (e) The science advisory committee shall: (1) serve as an objective scientific body to advise and make recommendations to the advisory group on issues relating to the science of environmental flow protection; and (2) develop recommendations to help provide overall direction, coordination, and consistency relating to: (A) environmental flow methodologies for bay and estuary studies and instream flow studies; (B) environmental flow programs at the commission, the Parks and Wildlife Department, and the board; and (C) the work of the basin and bay expert science teams described in Section 11.02362. (f) To assist the advisory group to assess the extent to which the recommendations of the science advisory committee are considered and implemented, the commission, the Parks and Wildlife Department, and the board shall provide written reports to the advisory group, at intervals determined by the advisory group, that describe: (1) the actions taken by each agency in response to each recommendation; and (2) for each recommendation not implemented, the reason it was not implemented. (g) Repealed by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1102 (S.B. 1397), Sec. 21(2), eff. September 1, 2023. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1351 (H.B. 3), Sec. 1.07, eff. September 1, 2007. Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1430 (S.B. 3), Sec. 1.07, eff. September 1, 2007. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1102 (S.B. 1397), Sec. 21(2), eff. September 1, 2023.