Bill: SB 1597, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
Senate Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs
Vote Recommendation
| Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
| Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Author(s)
José RodrÃguez
Bill Caption
Relating to a requirement that the General Land Office conduct an evaluation and submit a report regarding the use of wind and solar power to desalinate brackish groundwater on real property owned by the state.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
SB 1597 would require the General Land Office to conduct an evaluation to identify the potential for using wind and solar power to desalinate brackish groundwater on public property and identify locations that have the best potential for the implementation of a pilot program. A report on the results of the evaluation would be submitted to the governor and legislature by the end of 2018.
Vote Recommendation Notes
Because this bill would only deal with a study of using alternative energy sources to desalinate brackish groundwater on property owned by the state, it has no direct connection to our liberty principles. Therefore, we remain neutral on SB 1597.
We recommend amending the bill to stipulate that the study must include among its considerations the protection of private property rights in any renewable energy powered desalination project which might be initiated pursuant to the study.
Organizations Supporting
Environmental Defense Fund
Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club
Texas Campaign for the Environment
Texas Impact
Texas Solar Power Association
The Nature Conservancy
The Wind Coalition
