87R21038 SLB-F     By: Wilson H.B. No. 2095     Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2095:     By:  Wilson C.S.H.B. No. 2095       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to water research conducted by The University of Texas   Bureau of Economic Geology.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Title 2, Water Code, is amended by adding   Subtitle G to read as follows:   SUBTITLE G. WATER RESEARCH   CHAPTER 39. WATER RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY BUREAU OF ECONOMIC GEOLOGY          Sec. 39.0101.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                (1)  "Board" means the Texas Water Development Board.                (2)  "Bureau" means The University of Texas Bureau of   Economic Geology.          Sec. 39.0102.  DATA AND MODELING. (a) The bureau shall, in   coordination with the board, make studies of water, including   surface water, groundwater, soil moisture, and atmospheric   moisture, to improve on data gaps and on the processing, analysis,   modeling, and integration of water-related data.          (b)  The bureau shall, in coordination with the board, work   to enhance, advance, or integrate models characterizing the water   resources of the state including:                (1)  improving the techniques for multiscale modeling;                (2)  expanding the use of artificial intelligence and   machine learning techniques;                (3)  integrating multiscale modeling and machine   learning;                (4)  creating interoperable, modular, or coupled   modeling strategies;                (5)  improving access to and methods for achieving   high-performance computing; and                (6)  improving access to open-source,   community-supported modeling.          Sec. 39.0103.  COOPERATION AND COORDINATION. (a) In   fulfilling the duties described by Section 39.0102, the bureau   shall cooperate with:                (1)  the board;                (2)  the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality;                (3)  the Edwards Aquifer Authority;                (4)  river authorities;                (5)  groundwater conservation districts;                (6)  The University of Texas;                (7)  Texas A&M University;                (8)  Texas Tech University; and                (9)  any other state agency or university with access   to data related to surface water, groundwater, soil moisture, or   atmospheric moisture.          (b)  The bureau may coordinate with federal agencies or   private entities as appropriate to fulfill the requirements of this   chapter.          (c)  The agencies, political subdivisions, and universities   described by Subsection (a) shall provide, on request and to the   extent available, data to the bureau as necessary to fulfill the   requirements of this chapter.          (d)  To the extent of any conflict or inconsistency, the   provisions of Chapters 6 and 16 describing the powers, duties, and   functions of the board prevail over this chapter.          (e)  The bureau and the board shall enter into a memorandum   of understanding to define their powers, duties, and functions   related to this chapter.          Sec. 39.0104.  RESULTS. The bureau shall cooperate with the   board to ensure that the data and information compiled and produced   under Section 39.0102 are made available in accordance with Section   16.012(d).          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.