| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Positive | Neutral | Positive | Neutral |
HB 3324, if passed, would modify the Water Code (Section
11.085(v)) by expanding the exemptions for interbasin water transfers. Namely,
the bill would free transfers from certain provisions if said transfers are of
water based on a substitution exchange of an equal or greater quantity of
desalinated water, and if said water is made available in the basin of origin
on or after September 1st 2015. The bill also requires that the
transfer in question not result in a net water supply loss in the basin of
origin.
HB 3324 is a beneficial bill in that it loosens code
requirements, thus reducing state intervention, without compromising the
environment or the state function of managing water resources (as transfers
must not result in a water loss at the basin or origin). This allows for a
marginal, but notable improvement in the property rights regime in Texas, and
as such we support the bill.