H.R. 29 – Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2019

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 13, 2026 at 11:44 PM UTC

The Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2019 creates a limited exemption from the Lacey Act and its 1981 amendments for certain water transfers among Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. It applies to public water supplies—rivers, lakes, streams—used for drinking water. The bill is aimed at water utilities and state agencies that move water across state lines, allowing transfers that would otherwise be prohibited because of invasive species.

Key Provisions

Exempts the Lacey Act for water transfers between public water supplies in Texas, Arkansas, or Louisiana when any prohibited species are present in both the source and destination supplies and the transfer is direct.
Allows an exemption when water is moved through a closed conveyance system directly to treatment facilities that will eliminate all prohibited species before distribution.
Defines “covered water transfer” as any transfer of water containing a prohibited species between public water supplies across the three states, and clarines “prohibited species” as those barred by the Lacey Act or its 1981 amendments.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

February 5, 2019

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 3, 2019

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Natural Resources Committee

January 3, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee

January 3, 2019

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.

Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee

February 5, 2019

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about H.R. 29 on the floor

1 Democrat

Rep. Jim CostaD-CA-16 · May 15, 2019

Madam Speaker, regrettably, I was unable to attend the votes series for May 14, 2019. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA to Roll Call No. 203, H.R. 29 Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of…

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 3, 2019

I

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 29

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 3, 2019

Mr. Gohmert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To exempt from the Lacey Act and the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 certain water transfers between any of the States of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Public Water Supply Invasive Species Compliance Act of 2019.

2.

Exemption of certain water transfers from the Lacey Act and the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981

(a)

Exemption

Section 42 of title 18, United States Code (popularly known as the Lacey Act), and the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.) shall not apply with respect to any covered water transfer, if—

(1)

(A)

all prohibited species in the water transferred are located in both of the public water supplies between which the water is transferred; and

(B)

the water is transferred directly between such public water supplies; or

(2)

the water is transferred in a closed conveyance system directly to treatment facilities where all prohibited species contained in the water transferred will be extirpated.

(b)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Covered water transfer

The term covered water transfer means a transfer between public water supplies located on, along, or across the State boundaries between any of Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, of water containing a prohibited species.

(2)

Prohibited species

The term prohibited species means any species—

(A)

the shipment of which is otherwise prohibited by section 42 of title 18, United States Code; or

(B)

the transfer of which is otherwise prohibited by the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 U.S.C. 3371 et seq.).

(3)

Public water supply

The term public water supply means any body of water, including any river, lake, or stream, the water of which is available or made available to the public.