SLS 19RS-271 ORIGINAL
2019 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 51
BY SENATOR MORRELL
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. Creates the Louisiana Task Force on Lead-Free Water.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To create and provide for the Louisiana Task Force on Lead-Free Water to study the
3 problem of lead contamination in state and local water systems and recommend any
4 action or legislation that the task force deems necessary.
5 WHEREAS, the delivery of safe water is essential to the health and welfare of each
6 and every citizen and the single most important duty that a government owes its people; and
7 WHEREAS, lead is a naturally occurring metal but when ingested, it can accumulate
8 in the body and cause a variety of health complications such as developmental issues,
9 increased cancer risk, severe damage to the nervous system, reproduction system and other
10 organs, as well as high blood pressure and anemia; and
11 WHEREAS, there is no level of lead exposure that is considered safe to humans; and
12 WHEREAS, despite its dangers, lead is still being found in many water systems
13 throughout the state, mainly because of an aging infrastructure consisting of pipes made
14 from lead; and
15 WHEREAS, there are an estimated fifty-thousand lead lines in Louisiana, and many
16 of these are located in the lines that link municipal systems to homes; and
17 WHEREAS, there is no greater urgency than ensuring that the people of Louisiana
18 are being delivered water free of lead contamination.
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SLS 19RS-271 ORIGINAL
1 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana creates the Task
2 Force on Lead-Free Water to study the problem of lead contamination in state and local
3 water systems and recommend any action or legislation that the task force deems necessary.
4 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force created herein shall consist of the
5 following nine members:
6 (1) The secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health or his designee, who shall
7 serve as the chairperson of the task force.
8 (2) The secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality or his designee.
9 (3) The chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare or his designee.
10 (4) The chair of the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs or his designee.
11 (5) The chair of the Senate Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs or his
12 designee.
13 (6) The chair of the House Committee on Health and Welfare or his designee.
14 (7) The chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means or his designee.
15 (8) The chair of the House Committee on Local, Municipal, and Parochial Affairs
16 of his designee.
17 (9) The governor of Louisiana or his designee.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in conducting such study, the task force shall
19 study current law, policy, and efforts in Louisiana and other states to eliminate lead
20 contamination from water systems, work with local governments to ensure the transition
21 from lead pipes to safe alternatives, establish a time line for such upgrades, and shall
22 recommend any action or legislation that the commission deems necessary or appropriate.
23 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
24 without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
25 individually entitled as members of the constituent organizations.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
27 constitute a quorum of the task force, and any official action taken by the task force shall
28 require an affirmative vote of the majority of the quorum present and voting.
29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force may conduct such meetings at
30 such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and
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1 effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this
2 Resolution.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall report its findings and
4 recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, to the legislature no later
5 than sixty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session.
6 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate on March 1, 2021.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
8 governor of Louisiana, the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, and the
9 secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by McHenry Lee.
DIGEST
SCR 51 Original 2019 Regular Session Morrell
Creates the Louisiana Task Force on Lead-Free Water to study the problem of lead
contamination in water systems.
Provides for the task force membership and its powers and duties.
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