Bill Text: TX SCR30 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: Designating Matagorda County as the official Birding Capital of Texas for a 10-year period ending in 2035.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)
Status: (Passed) 2025-06-20 - Signed by the Governor [SCR30 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-SCR30-Enrolled.html
| S.C.R. No. 30 | ||
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| WHEREAS, Situated on the Texas coast, Matagorda County | ||
| provides a diverse set of habitats that welcome hundreds of bird | ||
| species each year; and | ||
| WHEREAS, The county's shoreline and marshes attract birds | ||
| such as ospreys, pelicans, and egrets, while inland terrains are | ||
| home to hawks, hummingbirds, blackbirds, and more; along the area's | ||
| bays and rivers, loons, cormorants, and mergansers can be found, | ||
| and the county is also on the pathway for numerous migratory | ||
| species, including flycatchers, vireos, and orioles; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Since 1993, the county has participated in the | ||
| Audubon Christmas Bird Count, and it has consistently earned a top | ||
| ranking for its rich diversity of species; during the 2023-2024 | ||
| count, the county had 225 types of birds in its tally, taking first | ||
| place for locations north of the U.S.-Mexico border; in addition, | ||
| it had the only examples of such rare birds as the surf scoter and | ||
| the blue grosbeak; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Matagorda County features many conservation areas | ||
| that help protect bird habitats; these include the Big Boggy | ||
| National Wildlife Refuge, the Mad Island Wildlife Management Area, | ||
| The Nature Conservancy's Clive Runnells Family Mad Island Marsh | ||
| Preserve, the Matagorda Peninsula Coastal Management Area, and the | ||
| Dog Island Preserve, which together encompass more than 26,000 | ||
| acres; in addition, residents and visitors can enjoy the region's | ||
| biodiversity at the Matagorda County Birding Nature Center and the | ||
| Matagorda Bay Nature Park, and Palacios is the site of the annual | ||
| Matagorda Bay Birdfest, where attendees can enjoy bird tours, a | ||
| parade, a youth art contest, and other activities; and | ||
| WHEREAS, Matagorda County has demonstrated a notable | ||
| commitment to preserving its abundant natural resources, ensuring | ||
| that it will continue to host myriad bird species, and the county's | ||
| status as a premier location to appreciate avian wildlife is indeed | ||
| deserving of recognition; now, therefore, be it | ||
| RESOLVED, That the 89th Legislature of the State of Texas | ||
| hereby designate Matagorda County as the official Birding Capital | ||
| of Texas; and, be it further | ||
| RESOLVED, That, in accordance with the provisions of Section | ||
| 391.003(e), Government Code, this designation remain in effect | ||
| until the 10th anniversary of the date this resolution is finally | ||
| passed by the legislature. | ||
| ______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
| President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
| ______________________________ | ______________________________ | |
| President of the Senate | Speaker of the House | |
| I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 30 was adopted by the Senate | ||
| on May 1, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Secretary of the Senate | ||
| I hereby certify that S.C.R. No. 30 was adopted by the House | ||
| on May 28, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 111, Nays 15, | ||
| four present not voting. | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Chief Clerk of the House | ||
| Approved: | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Date | ||
| ______________________________ | ||
| Governor | ||
