HB 1045CS

CHAMBER ACTION




2The Committee on Procedures recommends the following:
3
4     Committee Substitute
5     Remove the entire bill and insert:
6
House Resolution
7A resolution recognizing March 31, 2004, as "Local Water
8Sources First Day," supporting the continued inclusion of
9a "local sources first" policy in chapter 373, Florida
10Statutes, and opposing any amendments to the state's water
11resource policy that are inconsistent with the public
12interest.
13
14     WHEREAS, Florida's water resources are a natural resource
15and not a commodity to be sold or transferred to the highest
16bidder, and
17     WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives supports the
18local water sources first policy currently in state law, and
19     WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives recognizes
20that the continued retention of the local water sources first
21policy is integral to protecting the state's water resources,
22advancing long-term sustainable water resource development and
23supply systems, and preserving the rights and opportunities of
24local residents to secure and sustain their future prosperity
25and quality of life through the use and enjoyment of local water
26resources, and
27     WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives supports the
28fundamental principles of the Florida Water Resources Act of
291972 which require that a proposed use of water be reasonable
30and beneficial, not interfere with an existing legal use of
31water, and be consistent with the public interest, and
32     WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives opposes
33legislation that shifts water supply allocation from a publicly
34regulated process to a market-driven process, and
35     WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives opposes
36legislation that undermines a fundamental principle of water
37resources law which establishes a right of use rather than a
38right of ownership, and
39     WHEREAS, the Florida House of Representatives believes that
40any discussion of regional water transfer, before using local
41water sources or alternatives, is premature until minimum flows
42and levels have been established for all of the state's water
43resources, NOW, THEREFORE,
44
45Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
46Florida:
47
48     That the Florida House of Representatives recognizes March
4931, 2004, as "Local Water Sources First Day," opposes any
50modifications to the fundamental provisions of chapter 373,
51Florida Statutes, as they relate to the current "local sources
52first" policy, and encourages its legislative colleagues and the
53Governor to join in this opposition.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.