Lara Keel Texas Lobbyist

A website of the Texas Lobby Group

Texas Legislative Hearings 2012 – Part Two

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Lara Keel Texas Lobbyist News: 2012 Legislative Hearings

Hearings are beginning for issues currently facing the next legislative session in Texas. All issues will be listed here in a series of posts. This is the second in that series.

Lara Keel, The Texas Lobby Group

House Committee on Natural Resources

March 22nd – 09:00 AM
Capitol Extension Bldg., Room E2.010, Austin

The House Committee on Natural Resources will:

  • Respond to Charge # 1: relating to the ongoing statewide drought and the performance of state, regional and local entities in addressing it. Examine the impact of the drought on the state water plan, including an evaluation of how well the state’s existing water resources can meet demand, the need for additional funding sources to implement the plan, and the effectiveness of current drought planning and drought management policies. Identify short-term and long-term strategies to help the state better cope with drought and assess any obstacles, including state and federal regulations, to implementation of these strategies.
  • Respond to Charge #3: relating to the status of desalination projects in Texas. Include an evaluation of the regulation of brackish groundwater and whether opportunities exist to facilitate better utilization of this groundwater to meet future needs.
  • Respond to Charge #4: relating to ways to water conservation in agricultural irrigation. The Committee will hear invited testimony only. The Agenda will be available at the hearing.

Rep. Allan Ritter, 512/463-0706

House Committee on Environmental Regulation

March 22nd – 09:00 AM
Capitol Extension Bldg., Room E1.030, Austin

The House Committee on Environmental Regulation will hold a joint hearing with the House Committee on Transportation on March 22, 2012 in room E1.030. The Committee will consider the following:

  • Respond to charge: Study the environmental review process for transportation projects and monitor the implementation of reforms newly passed by the 82nd Legislature. Continue to work with all stakeholders to develop any necessary changes. The Committee will hear invited testimony only.

Rep. Wayne Smith, 512/463-0733

House Committee on Transportation

March 22nd – 01:00 PM
Capitol Extension Bldg., Room E2.028, Austin

The House Committee on Transportation will meet to consider the following interim charge: Review the state of our current transportation infrastructure, including studying roadway, bridge, and waterway quality and long-range plans by the Texas Department of Transportation for maintaining these assets. Explore future needs of our infrastructure for the next decade and make recommendations to ensure long-range sufficiency. The Committee will hear invited testimony.

Rep. Larry Phillips, 512/463-0297