Bill Text: TX SCR31 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Expressing opposition to using eminent domain for the construction of a wall or fence along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-03-16 - Referred to State Affairs [SCR31 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-SCR31-Introduced.html

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By: Uresti, et al. S.C.R. No. 31

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The construction of a wall or fence along the
U.S.-Mexico border could lead the federal government to use eminent
domain to infringe on the rights of private landowners in Texas; and
WHEREAS, Privately owned land composes 67 percent of the
U.S.-Mexico Border, and most of that property is located in the Lone
Star State; border fencing has already resulted in bisecting
private property without the consent of landowners, and due to the
winding geography along the Rio Grande, a wall or more fencing would
need to be built inland, separating even more property of Texas
landowners from the United States; and
WHEREAS, The path of the Rio Grande boasts many of the
greatest natural wonders of Texas, including Big Bend National
Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, the Amistad National Recreation
Area, and the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River; a border wall or
fence would undoubtedly detract from the splendor of these state
treasures and negatively affect tourism; and
WHEREAS, Instead of a barrier, the federal government should
continue focusing on alternative, more cost-effective measures for
enforcing federal law on the U.S.-Mexico border, including using
surveillance technology and integrating federal operations with
state and local law enforcement agencies; and
WHEREAS, Erecting a border wall or fence would constitute one
of the largest federal land grabs for a single security-related
project in our nation's history, and it is incumbent on the U.S.
government to enforce federal law on the southern border in a way
that will not violate the rights of Texas landowners, harm the state
economy, and waste taxpayer money; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby express its opposition to using eminent domain for the
construction of a wall or fence along the U.S.-Mexico border; 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 speaker of the House of Representatives and the president of the
Senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the
Texas delegation to the Congress with the request that this
resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.