Texas Creates Climate Change Council to Protect Health and Safety

Texas is creating a new Climate Change Impact Assessment Council to study how climate change affects our state's health, safety, and economy. This council brings together 11 members: two state senators, two state representatives, and seven public experts. The experts include specialists in climate science, business, land management, and tourism. The council's main job is to understand the real impacts of climate change on Texans. It will assess both what is happening now and what could happen in the future. The council will look at threats like flooding, erosion, drought, and wildfires that climate change may cause or make worse. It will also estimate the costs these threats could bring to our state. The council will travel to different parts of Texas to hold public hearings. These hearings help gather ideas and information from communities across the state. Members will share what they learn with lawmakers and make recommendations for new laws and rules to protect us. By January 1, 2027, the council must submit a full report to the Texas Legislature with its findings and recommendations. The council will dissolve on September 1, 2027, once its work is complete. Appointments will happen by March 1, 2026, so the work can begin soon.