84R13313 JNC-D

By: Frank H.R. No. 1824

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, Population growth in the arid and semiarid regions of the United States is expanding at a rate that far exceeds the growth rate in other parts of the nation, yet it is this same region where water sources have become limited in their capacity to sustain future population growth; and

WHEREAS, Traditional approaches to meeting growing water demand in urban areas require exploitation of surface and subsurface resources to the maximum extent possible, but these approaches are becoming increasingly costly; and

WHEREAS, Future growth and development in our state will require cost-effective solutions to provide sustainable water supplies, and this effort will require collaboration among all of the communities, organizations, and institutions that have a stake in the region's well-being; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby request the speaker to direct the House Committee on Natural Resources to conduct an interim study on the interconnectivity of Texas water resources; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the study specifically identify:

(1) which legal issues obstruct localities from entering into agreements to transfer water;

(2) the financial barriers that restrict local water suppliers from completing water transfer projects without state assistance;

(3) any organizational problems that inhibit cooperation between local water providers or regional water planners in moving water; and

(4) potential partners among bordering states and the potential challenges to water transfers between Texas suppliers and suppliers in those states; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including its findings and recommendations, to the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas Legislature before it convenes in January 2017.