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House resolution to ease quorum rules for regional water councils clears committee
Summary
Representative Lynn Smith told the committee HR 1008 (LC443274) aims to restructure regional water planning councils — reducing government appointees, shortening leadership appointments and requiring cross-sector representation — to address quorum and functionality problems; the committee voted to pass the resolution.
The Natural Resources and the Environment committee approved House Resolution 1008, a measure Representative Lynn Smith said is intended to make regional water planning councils more functional by adjusting appointments and representation.
Smith told the committee that regional water planning districts were created in the early 2000s and that some regions now struggle to meet quorum requirements. She said HR 1008 would reduce government appointees (suggested from 13 to 7), reduce lieutenant governor and speaker appointees, remove alternate members, lengthen appointment terms, and require that each council include representation from municipal, industrial, agricultural and energy water and wastewater demand sectors.
Committee members asked about the councils’ authority; Smith and others clarified that councils provide regional input and operate under state code, but cannot change statute absent action by the General Assembly. The resolution was moved and seconded and the committee voted to do pass HR 1008.
Supporters said the changes are intended to restore functionality to regional councils so they can coordinate local leaders and stakeholders on water-resource planning and raise issues for the legislature when statutory changes are required.
