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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, The Gulf Coast plays a vital role in the Texas |
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economy, and the oyster ranks among the most valuable resources of |
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the region as a popular food and as the mainstay of an important |
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harvesting and processing industry; and |
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WHEREAS, Texas coastal waters and bays face continual, often |
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harsh challenges, which can negatively impact the viability of the |
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oysters there; these challenges include natural phenomena such as |
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drought, storms, disease, and algae blooms, as well as man-made |
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destruction caused by oil spills and other incidents; now, |
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therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby request that the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the |
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house of representatives create a joint interim committee to study |
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oyster resource management in Texas waterways, including the |
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growing, transplanting, and harvesting of oysters; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That the study specifically develop |
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recommendations to better protect, develop, and propagate oysters |
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in order to support and enhance the oyster industry; and, be it |
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further |
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RESOLVED, That the joint interim committee be composed of |
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five members of the Texas Senate, three of whom represent districts |
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adjacent to oyster-producing bay systems, and five members of the |
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Texas House of Representatives, three of whom represent districts |
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adjacent to oyster-producing bay systems; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the chair or co-chairs of the committee be |
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chosen from among the members representing districts with |
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significant oyster production; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee submit a full report, including |
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findings and recommendations, to the 85th Texas Legislature in |
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January 2017; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the committee's proceedings and operations be |
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governed by such general rules and policies for interim committees |
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as the 84th Texas Legislature may adopt. |