1-1 By: Hilderbran, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Sims) H.C.R. No. 52
1-2 (In the Senate - Received from the House April 1, 1993;
1-3 April 5, 1993, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural
1-4 Resources; May 14, 1993, reported favorably by the following vote:
1-5 Yeas 6, Nays 2; May 14, 1993, sent to printer.)
1-6 COMMITTEE VOTE
1-7 Yea Nay PNV Absent
1-8 Sims x
1-9 Truan x
1-10 Armbrister x
1-11 Barrientos x
1-12 Bivins x
1-13 Brown x
1-14 Carriker x
1-15 Lucio x
1-16 Montford x
1-17 Ratliff x
1-18 Shelley x
1-19 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
1-20 WHEREAS, The federal Endangered Species Act, scheduled for
1-21 reauthorization by the United States Congress, is in need of
1-22 thorough and judicious revision to correct distortions of
1-23 congressional intent that have arisen since the law's original
1-24 enactment nearly 20 years ago; and
1-25 WHEREAS, In many areas of the nation, implementation of the
1-26 Act has put a complete stop to economic development, suppressing
1-27 the rational policy compromises that would balance environmental
1-28 concerns with the maintenance and promotion of community and
1-29 national prosperity; and
1-30 WHEREAS, Once an area is officially declared to be an
1-31 endangered species habitat, any subsequent alteration of the
1-32 property by the landowner must be approved by the U.S. Fish and
1-33 Wildlife Service, resulting in delay of worthwhile projects while
1-34 impacts on habitat are reviewed and debated; and
1-35 WHEREAS, Ensuing legal obstacles to acceptable uses of
1-36 private land, when multiplied throughout a locality harboring
1-37 similar habitat, reduce property values and deplete the tax base
1-38 that supports schools, roads, utilities, and other public
1-39 necessities and services; and
1-40 WHEREAS, The Endangered Species Act as interpreted by the
1-41 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has led the agency to intervene in
1-42 natural rivalries between species, effectively deciding by human
1-43 fiat which shall live and which shall die; and
1-44 WHEREAS, These and other anomalies that have occurred since
1-45 passage of the Act warrant great scrutiny and review by congress,
1-46 and it is the sentiment of this legislature that such effort lead
1-47 to substantial amendment of the law in the course of its
1-48 reauthorization; now, therefore, be it
1-49 RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas
1-50 hereby request the United States Congress to revise the federal
1-51 Endangered Species Act in keeping with the concerns expressed
1-52 herein to give stronger consideration to the significance of
1-53 economic factors, protection of public safety, and preservation of
1-54 basic landowner property rights; and, be it further
1-55 RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state prepare and
1-56 forward official copies of this resolution to the president of the
1-57 United States, to the speaker of the house of representatives and
1-58 president of the senate of the United States Congress, and to all
1-59 members of the Texas congressional delegation, with the request
1-60 that it be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a
1-61 memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.
1-62 * * * * *
1-63 Austin,
1-64 Texas
1-65 May 14, 1993
1-66 Hon. Bob Bullock
1-67 President of the Senate
1-68 Sir:
2-1 We, your Committee on Natural Resources to which was referred
2-2 H.C.R. No. 52, have had the same under consideration, and I am
2-3 instructed to report it back to the Senate with the recommendation
2-4 that it do pass and be printed.
2-5 Sims,
2-6 Chairman
2-7 * * * * *
2-8 WITNESSES
2-9 FOR AGAINST ON
2-10 ___________________________________________________________________
2-11 Name: Robert Brandes x
2-12 Representing: Self
2-13 City: Austin
2-14 -------------------------------------------------------------------
2-15 Name: Kathryn Heidemann x
2-16 Representing:
2-17 City: Georgetown
2-18 -------------------------------------------------------------------
2-19 Name: Joan Hawbaker x
2-20 Representing:
2-21 City: Cedar Park
2-22 -------------------------------------------------------------------
2-23 Name: Fred Purcell x
2-24 Representing:
2-25 City: Austin
2-26 -------------------------------------------------------------------
2-27 Name: James Gaines x
2-28 Representing:
2-29 City: Dripping Springs
2-30 -------------------------------------------------------------------
2-31 Name: Scott Royder x
2-32 Representing: Sierra Club
2-33 City: Austin
2-34 -------------------------------------------------------------------
2-35 Name: Sandra Skrei x
2-36 Representing: National Audubon Society
2-37 City: Austin
2-38 -------------------------------------------------------------------
2-39 Name: Dan Byfield x
2-40 Representing: Tx Farm Bureau
2-41 City: Austin
2-42 -------------------------------------------------------------------
2-43 Name: David Langford x
2-44 Representing: Tx Wildlife Assoc.
2-45 City: San Antonio
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