Texas House Bill HR2074

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Introduced: 5/13/09
• Refer: 5/15/09

Caption

Urging the U.S. secretary of the interior to simplify existing policies and procedures to allow for the expeditious release of Coastal Impact Assistance Program funds to the State of Texas.

Impact

The resolution emphasizes the importance of timely disbursement of these funds for projects aimed at restoring environmental health, such as the Cedar Bayou and Vinson Slough Hydraulic Restoration Project. These projects are not only essential for ecological restoration but are also projected to create and sustain local jobs. The resolution asserts that expediting these funds will positively impact community development and contribute to the overall health of the Texas coastline.

Summary

HR2074 is a resolution that urges the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to expedite the release of funds allocated to Texas under the Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP). Established by the Energy Policy Act of 2005, this program aims to provide financial resources to states and coastal subdivisions to mitigate the environmental impacts of offshore oil and gas production. The resolution highlights that Texas has been allocated over $97 million for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 but has yet to receive these funds due to delays in the state CIAP plan and grant review process.

Contention

While HR2074 calls for the simplification of policies to facilitate the release of CIAP funds, it does not discuss specific points of contention directly. However, the successful execution of the projects funded by these allocations may face scrutiny regarding environmental impact, project management, and funding allocation, potentially leading to debates among stakeholders about prioritization and resource utilization in coastal management.