** REVISION **
                          HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
                          NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING


COMMITTEE: Natural Resources

TIME & DATE:  1:30PM, Wednesday, March 24, 2004

PLACE: E2.010, Capitol Extension

CHAIR: Rep. Robert Puente

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The committee will meet in a public hearing to consider testimony on the
following interim charges:

1. Examine the issues associated with the TCEQ's authority to amend, impair
interpret or modify the terms of water contracts between willing parties,
including the possible impacts this authority could have on the financing
of public/private water projects.

2. Evaluate the availability and cost effectiveness of using brackish
groundwater and surface water as an alternative source of water supply,
including assessing the regulatory restrictions or impediments that impact
cost and what measure or regulatory changes are needed to facilitate use
of this water source by political subdivisions.

Invited testimony will be followed by public testimony on these two
charges only.

The committee will also consider invited testimony from Commissioner Jerry
Patterson, General Land Office, concerning the use of groundwater on state
lands.  No public testimony will be considered on this issue.




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