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.
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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.
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Member | District | 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].