News

For Immediate Release
Thursday, February 7, 2008

(Austin) – Today, Speaker Tom Craddick (Midland) announced the appointment of Rep. Mike Hamilton (Mauriceville) as chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, which oversees the conservation, control and development of the state's natural resources. Rep. Hamilton's appointment fills the vacancy left by former Rep. Robert Puente, who resigned February 1.

"Rep. Hamilton is a well qualified, obvious choice to chair the Natural Resources Committee considering his previous experience as vice chair and his familiarity with the issues facing this important committee," Speaker Craddick said. "He will no doubt serve his constituents and the people of Texas well as he leads the committee that manages the state's most vital resources."

The Committee has nine members. Aside from overseeing the conservation, control and development of the state's natural resources, the Committee also has jurisdiction over irrigation, irrigation companies, and irrigation districts, the regulation of water supply districts, water control and improvement districts, as well as conservation and reclamation districts. It has oversight of a number of state agencies including the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality as it relates to the regulation of water resources, the Office of Canadian River Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Pecos River Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Red River Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Rio Grande Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Sabine River Compact Administrator for Texas, the Multi-State Water Resources Planning Commission, and the Texas Water Development Board.

"I thank Speaker Craddick for his confidence in my abilities and look forward to serving as Chairman of the House Natural Resources committee," Rep. Hamilton said. "Water has long been a priority of my district, and I am honored to be serving my constituents and all Texans as a leader in water resource issues."

Rep. Hamilton is serving his third term as representative for District 19. Aside from his position as chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Hamilton is a member of the Calendars Committee and the Licensing and Administrative Procedures Committees.