Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SCR32 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	By: Taylor of Galveston, et al. S.C.R. No. 32
	1	+	By: Taylor of Galveston S.C.R. No. 32
	2	+	(In the Senate - Filed March 8, 2017; March 16, 2017, read
	3	+	first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources &
	4	+	Economic Development; March 22, 2017, reported favorably by the
	5	+	following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; March 22, 2017, sent to printer.)
	6	+	Click here to see the committee vote
2	7
3	8
4	9		SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
5	10		WHEREAS, Texas has been the nation's top exporting state for
6	11		the last 14 consecutive years, with an estimated $650 billion in
7	12		trade in 2015 alone; exports support some 1.6 million jobs and
8	13		contribute over $200 billion to the gross state product; and
9	14		WHEREAS, The Gulf Coast region of Texas plays a crucial role
10	15		in the prosperity of the state, as it is home not only to the largest
11	16		concentration of petrochemical manufacturing and refining
12	17		facilities in the United States but also to the federal Strategic
13	18		Petroleum Reserve and a vital supply of aviation jet fuel for
14	19		military and commercial use; in addition, Texas ports along the
15	20		Gulf Coast are integral to the chemical manufacturing industry and
16	21		to both the state and national economies; and
17	22		WHEREAS, This Gulf Coast region, however, is vulnerable to
18	23		major weather events, including intense hurricanes, which in the
19	24		recent past have devastated area cities by causing significant loss
20	25		of life, destroying residential and commercial property, damaging
21	26		sensitive ecosystems, and weakening local economies; and
22	27		WHEREAS, In response to the havoc wreaked by Hurricanes Ike
23	28		and Rita, researchers at the Center for Texas Beaches and Shores at
24	29		Texas A&M University at Galveston designed the Coastal Spine; plans
25	30		for implementing the structure have included consideration of
26	31		scientific research, historical storm data, and existing systems;
27	32		moreover, the environmental impact such an apparatus would have on
28	33		the surrounding area and waterway is being vigorously evaluated,
29	34		and the study is expected to be completed in the summer of 2017; and
30	35		WHEREAS, The Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery
31	36		District, composed of Orange, Jefferson, Chambers, Harris,
32	37		Galveston, and Brazoria Counties, was created by Governor Rick
33	38		Perry in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike; its board, which
34	39		represents more than 6.5 million residents who live in the upper
35	40		Gulf Coast area, has determined that the Coastal Spine is the best
36	41		method for protecting against storm surges along the Texas coast;
37	42		the concept has also gained widespread support from residents,
38	43		businesses, and elected officials throughout the coastal region;
39	44		and
40	45		WHEREAS, The potential benefits of the Coastal Spine are
41	46		manifold, ranging from preserving life and property to spurring
42	47		economic growth and cutting state expenses for disaster assistance,
43	48		and it is necessary for the United States government to provide aid
44	49		and support for further research, design, and construction of the
45	50		coastal barrier; now, therefore, be it
46	51		RESOLVED, That the 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
47	52		hereby express its support for the development and construction of
48	53		a coastal barrier to protect the Gulf Coast region of Texas from
49	54		storm surges; and, be it further
50	55		RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby urge the United
51	56		States Congress to provide sufficient federal funding for the
52	57		construction of the project; and, be it further
53	58		RESOLVED, That the Texas Legislature hereby urge the United
54	59		States Congress to expedite the United States Army Corps of
55	60		Engineers design and construction process; and, be it further
56	61		RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
57	62		copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
58	63		the president of the Senate and the speaker of the House of
59	64		Representatives of the United States Congress, and to all the
60	65		members of the Texas delegation to Congress with the request that
61	66		this resolution be entered in the Congressional Record as a
62	67		memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.
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