The House
Committee on Natural Resources
82nd Legislature
March 22, 2012
9:00 a.m.
E2.010
Pursuant to a notice posted on March 9, 2012, the
House Committee on Natural Resources met in a public hearing and was called to
order by the chair, Representative Ritter, at 9:06 a.m.
The initial quorum call was answered as follows:
Representatives Ritter; King, Tracy O.; Beck; Creighton; Keffer; Larson;
Miller, Doug; and Price.
A quorum was present.
INTERIM CHARGE NUMBER 1
The
chair laid out Interim Charge Number 1 which states, “Monitor the ongoing
statewide drought and the performance of state, regional, and local entities in
addressing it. Examine the impact of the drought on the state water plan,
including an evaluation of how well the state's existing water resources can
meet demand, the need for additional funding sources to implement the plan, and
the effectiveness of current drought planning and drought management policies.
Identify short-term and long-term strategies to help the state better cope with
drought and assess any obstacles, including state and federal regulations, to
implementation of these strategies.”
(Chair
recognized Representative Callegari present for discussion by permission of the
chair.)
Testimony
taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)
(Representative
Lucio III now present.)
Testimony
taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)
(Representative
Larson in chair.)
Testimony
taken/registration recorded. (See
attached witness list.)
(Representative
Ritter in chair.)
Testimony
taken/registration recorded. (See attached
witness list.)
INTERIM CHARGE NUMBER 3
The
chair laid out Interim Charge Number 3 which states, “Evaluate the status of
desalination projects in Texas. Include
an evaluation of the regulation of brackish groundwater and whether
opportunities exist to facilitate better utilization of this groundwater to
meet future needs.”
Testimony
taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)
INTERIM CHARGE NUMBER 4
The
chair laid out Interim Charge Number 4 which states, “Study ways to enhance incentives
for water conservation in agriculture irrigation.”
Testimony
taken/registration recorded. (See attached witness list.)
(Representative
King, Tracy O. in chair.)
Testimony
taken/registration recorded. (See
attached witness list.)
(Representative
Ritter in chair.)
Testimony
taken/registration recorded. (See
attached witness list.)
At
5:00 p.m., on the motion of the chair and without objection, the meeting was
adjourned subject to the call of the chair.
________________________________________________
Rep.
Ritter, Chair
________________________________________________
Elizabeth
Fazio, Clerk