Bill Text: TX HCR106 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Urging Congress to provide sufficient federal funding for the construction of a storm surge barrier along the Texas coast.
Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-06-12 - Signed by the Governor [HCR106 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HCR106-Enrolled.html
| H.C.R. No. 106 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Texas has been the nation's top exporting state for | ||
| the last 14 consecutive years, with an estimated $650 billion in | ||
| trade in 2015 alone; exports support some 1.6 million jobs and | ||
| contribute over $200 billion to the gross state product; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Gulf Coast region of Texas plays a crucial role | ||
| in the prosperity of the state, as it is home not only to the largest | ||
| concentration of petrochemical manufacturing and refining | ||
| facilities in the United States but also to the federal Strategic | ||
| Petroleum Reserve and a vital supply of aviation jet fuel for | ||
| military and commercial use; in addition, Texas ports along the | ||
| Gulf Coast are integral to the chemical manufacturing industry and | ||
| to both the state and national economies; and | ||
| WHEREAS, This Gulf Coast region, however, is vulnerable to | ||
| major weather events, including intense hurricanes, which in the | ||
| recent past have devastated area cities by causing significant loss | ||
| of life, destroying residential and commercial property, damaging | ||
| sensitive ecosystems, and weakening local economies; and | ||
| WHEREAS, In response to the havoc wreaked by Hurricanes Ike | ||
| and Rita, researchers at the Center for Texas Beaches and Shores at | ||
| Texas A&M University at Galveston designed the Coastal Spine; plans | ||
| for implementing the structure have included consideration of | ||
| scientific research, historical storm data, and existing systems; | ||
| moreover, the environmental impact such an apparatus would have on | ||
| the surrounding area and waterway is being vigorously evaluated, | ||
| and the study is expected to be completed in the summer of 2017; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery | ||
| District, composed of Orange, Jefferson, Chambers, Harris, | ||
| Galveston, and Brazoria Counties, was created by Governor Rick | ||
| Perry in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike; its board, which | ||
| represents more than 6.5 million residents who live in the upper | ||
| Gulf Coast area, has determined that the Coastal Spine is the best | ||
| method for protecting against storm surges along the Texas coast; | ||
| the concept has also gained widespread support from residents, | ||
| businesses, and elected officials throughout the coastal region; | ||
| and | ||
| WHEREAS, The General Land Office of the State of Texas is | ||
| committed to partnering with the United States Army Corps of | ||
| Engineers to implement the construction of the Coastal Spine; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The Texas Legislature is committed to the creation | ||
| of a special purpose district within the Gulf Coast Region in order | ||
| to fund the ongoing operations and maintenance of any structures | ||
| and facilities related to the Coastal Spine; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The potential benefits of the Coastal Spine are | ||
| manifold, ranging from preserving life and property to spurring | ||
| economic growth and cutting state expenses for disaster assistance, | ||
| and it is necessary for the U.S. government to provide aid and | ||
| support for further research, design, and construction of the | ||
| coastal barrier; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby express its support for the development and construction of | ||
| a coastal barrier to protect the Gulf Coast region of Texas from | ||
| storm surges; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby urge the United | ||
| States Congress to provide sufficient federal funding for the | ||
| construction of the project; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby urge the U.S. | ||
| Congress to expedite the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers design and | ||
| construction process; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official | ||
| copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to | ||
| the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of | ||
| Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the | ||
| members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that | ||
| this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a | ||
| memorial to the Congress of the United States of America. | ||
| Deshotel | ||
| Perez | ||
| Faircloth | ||
| Roberts | ||
| Cain | ||
| Bonnen of Galveston | ||
| Wu | ||
| ______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
| President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
| I certify that H.C.R. No. 106 was adopted by the House on May | ||
| 5, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 1, 2 present, not | ||
| voting. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
| I certify that H.C.R. No. 106 was adopted by the Senate on May | ||
| 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| APPROVED: __________________ | ||
| Date | ||
| __________________ | ||
| Governor | ||
