87R6516 BEE-F     By: King of Uvalde H.B. No. 2225       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the powers and duties of the Parks and Wildlife   Department regarding the Texas Water Trust.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 12, Parks and Wildlife   Code, is amended by adding Section 12.028 to read as follows:          Sec. 12.028.  POWERS AND DUTIES REGARDING TEXAS WATER TRUST.   (a) In this section, "Texas Water Trust" means the trust   established under Section 15.7031, Water Code.          (b)  Consistent with Section 11.0235(b), Water Code, and the   department's duties and responsibilities, the department shall   encourage and facilitate the dedication of water rights in the   Texas Water Trust through lease, donation, purchase, or other means   of voluntary transfer for environmental needs, including for the   purpose of maintaining or improving:                (1)  instream flows;                (2)  water quality;                (3)  fish and wildlife habitat; and                (4)  bay and estuary inflows.          (c)  The department may manage rights in the Texas Water   Trust in a manner that:                (1)  is consistent with the dedication of the rights;   and                (2)  maximizes environmental benefits.          SECTION 2.  Section 15.7031, Water Code, is amended by   adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:          (e)  The Parks and Wildlife Department may manage rights in   the trust in a manner that:                (1)  is consistent with the dedication of the rights;   and                (2)  maximizes environmental benefits.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.