Sen. Cruz Introduces Bills to Protect Wildlife Conservation and Texas’ Water Supply
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement upon introducing the Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act and the Saving America's Vulnerable and Endangered Species Act (SAVES Act) this week:
"These two bills will greatly benefit Texas' water supply and improve conservation initiatives for non-native wildlife. The Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act will ensure the steady flow of interstate water transfers without interference from Washington bureaucrats. The Saving America's Vulnerable and Endangered Species Act will make it easier for ranchers and wildlife sanctuaries to repopulate non-native species without being stifled by bureaucratic red tape. I am proud to introduce legislation to help empower Texans to conserve wildlife and protect future water supply, and I hope to see both bills pass swiftly through the Senate."
BACKGROUND:
The Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act, cosponsored by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R- La.) and introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), provides certainty to water agencies who supply water to Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana by ensuring that interstate water transfers between the three states are not shutdown as a result of the Lacey Act, legislation that affects trade in wildlife, fish, or plants across state lines. The bill ensures the federal government notifies the recipient so that they can take adaptive measures in order to mitigate the impacts of invasive species water transfers, and makes the water transfer conditional upon implementation of effective mitigation measures should an invasive species be found. Sen. Cruz previously introduced this bill in 2019.
Read the full text of the Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act here.
The SAVES Act, cosponsored by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Gohmert, removes regulatory burdens for ranchers and conservators engaged in captive breeding of exotic wildlife while promoting animal conservation in the United States. Sen. Cruz previously introduced this bill in 2018.
Read the full text of the Saving America's Vulnerable and Endangered Species Act here.
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