Texas House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Meetings

The Texas House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources met at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, October 16, 2018 in order to hear invited and public testimony on multiple interim charges. These charges include an examination of Texas water markets, the implications of a broad-based information campaign regarding water issues in Texas, analysis of the Water Availability Models for river basins in the state, and the oversight of relevant agencies and programs responsible for the implementation of legislation passed by the 85th Texas Legislature. The House Committee on Natural Resources previously held meetings regarding the status of groundwater policy in Texas as well as hazards presented by abandoned and deteriorated groundwater wells and September 27, 2018 regarding water development opportunities involving neighboring states and Mexico as well as the status of groundwater policy in Texas.

Texas House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Meeting Agenda 10/16/18:

• Interim Charge #4: Examine the status of water markets in Texas and the potential benefits of and challenges to expanded water markets.
• Interim Charge #5: Examine the potential value, the necessary elements, and the implications of a broad-based information and awareness campaign regarding water issues in Texas. Consider input from water stakeholders, educators, and communications experts.
• Interim Charge #7:  Analyze the need to update Water Availability Models for the river basins in this state.
• Interim Charge #10: Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature.

A livestream of the hearing will be available. To view, copy and paste the following link in to your browser: clevr.me/hosted/texashousenrc/

Location: Meyers Conference Center, 2nd Floor, Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation, 1621 S 3rd St, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706

Parking on campus is free. The parking lot in front of Russell Gym, located at 1428 South 3rd Street, Waco, TX 76706, has been reserved for those attending the hearing.

Texas House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Meeting Agenda 9/27/18:

• Interim Charge #9: Examine opportunities to enhance water development opportunities involving neighboring states and Mexico. Evaluate lessons from previous attempts to import new water supplies, as well as the impacts of noncompliance with the 1944 treaty with Mexico on the Rio Grande Valley Region.
• Interim Charge #6: Evaluate the results of the expedited decertification process created under S.B. 573 (82R). Include an evaluation of the process for resolving disputes around this process and assessing compensation for utilities whose service areas are decertified.
• Specific issues related to Interim Charge #3: Evaluate the status of groundwater policy in Texas, including the following: (b) Developments in case law regarding groundwater ownership and regulation, and (d) The appropriate consideration of the service area of a water supplier when groundwater resources are allocated based on surface ownership.

Texas House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources Meeting Agenda 9/13/18:

• Specific issues related to Charge #3: Evaluate the status of groundwater policy in Texas including the following: (g) Emerging issues in groundwater and surface water interaction, in particular in areas of increasing competition for scarce resources.
• Interim Charge #8: Study the hazards presented by abandoned and deteriorated groundwater wells, and make recommendations to address the contamination and other concerns these wells may represent.