Alabama Water Conservation and Security Act (HB 476)

HB 476 – ALABAMA WATER CONSERVATION AND SECURITY ACT 

The Alabama Water Conservation & Security Act (HB 476), introduced by Neil Rafferty (D 54), will improve Alabama’s system of water management to better protect our rivers and streams for the quality of our drinking water and the quality of life for our children and grandchildren.

ACT NOW! Ask the Alabama House State Government Committee to support HB 476.

 

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION

READ THE FACT SHEET

READ THE BILL

Talking Points for the Alabama Water Conservation and Security Act 

The AWCSA requires the State to protect the flow of water in Alabama’s 132,000 miles of rivers and streams. It also gives us the ability to protect ourselves the next time we have a water shortage or drought.

Despite the State’s past inability to protect us during water emergencies, the Water Resources Commission believes we already have all the protection we need. We know we must do more.

WHAT WILL THIS BILL DO?

  • Protect Alabama’s way of life for generations to come by safeguarding the state’s 132,000 miles of rivers and streams

Drought Emergency

  • This bill would reduce the harmful effects of drought and give much needed protection to people who depend on water.

Farmers and Agriculture

  • It would protect farmers by making our waters more reliable and higher quality. In case of emergency, the state can guarantee this important industry gets what they deserve.

Wildlife

  • It would protect our wildlife and ecosystems by mandating that enough water is our rivers and streams to support the plants and animals that we all enjoy and appreciate.

WHAT IT WILL NOT DO:

  • Arbitrarily take water away from farmers, manufacturers, or municipalities—the goal of this bill is to ensure the state has enough water, not to restrict the access of those who need it most. On the contrary, the bill actually protects farmers and utilities by making sure they will have the water they need in times of emergency—instead of having to compete with other regions of the state or sue other water users in the area.
  • Create a financial burden on individuals or the state. In fact, it will potentially save millions of dollars by limiting — and even preventing — the costs of disaster.

Alabama House State Government Committee:

If your Representative is a member of the Alabama House State Government Committee, please let them know you support HB 476.

CLICK HERE TO TAKE ACTION

Member District Email Phone
Chris Pringle (Chair) 101 – Mobile County [email protected] 334-261-0489
Chris Sells (Vice Chair) 90 – Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Montgomery County [email protected] 334-261-0568
John Rogers (Ranking Member) 52 – Jefferson County [email protected] 334-261-0387
Mike Ball 10 – Madison County [email protected] 334-261-0483
Barbara Boyd 32 – Calhoun, Talladega County [email protected] 334-261-0592
Brett Easterbrook 65 – Choctaw, Clarke, Washington County 334-261-0402
Rolanda Hollis 58 – Jefferson County [email protected] 334-261-9520
Jamie Kiel 18 – Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale County [email protected] 334-261-0521
Kelvin Lawernce 69 – Autauga, Lowndes, Montgomery, Wilcox County [email protected] 334-261-0536
Connie Rowe 13 – Blount, Walker County [email protected] 334-261-0495
Harry Shiver 64 – Baldwin, Monroe County [email protected] 334-261-0445
Scott Stadthagen 9 – Cullman, Marshall, Morgan County [email protected] 334-261-0436
April Weaver 49 – Bibb, Chilton, Shelby County [email protected] 334-261-0491

Let us know if you have any questions. Call us at 205-322-6395 or email Curt Chaffin, Policy Director, at [email protected].