Bill Text: TX HCR106 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Comm Sub
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Urging Congress to provide sufficient federal funding for the construction of a storm surge barrier along the Texas coast.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-06-12 - Signed by the Governor [HCR106 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HCR106-Comm_Sub.html
Bill Title: Urging Congress to provide sufficient federal funding for the construction of a storm surge barrier along the Texas coast.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2017-06-12 - Signed by the Governor [HCR106 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HCR106-Comm_Sub.html
By: Deshotel, et al. | H.C.R. No. 106 | |
(Senate Sponsor - Taylor of Galveston) | ||
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2017; | ||
May 18, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on | ||
Administration; May 23, 2017, reported favorably by the following | ||
vote: Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 23, 2017, sent to printer.) | ||
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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. | ||
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