B-012: THE WATER CRISIS ACT, 1674

[Speaker Rejo]

THE WATER CRISIS ACT, 1674
An Act to provide for solutions to the water crisis in Alduria, among other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the duly elected Parliament of the Republic of Alduria assembled, -

Section I. Citation.

1. This Act shall be officially cited as the Water Crisis Act, 1674 AN.
   
2. This Act shall apply to all of the Republic of Alduria.
   

Section II. Rainwater harvesting and related activities.
1.The National Government and local governments are authorized, and shall undertake the construction of water wells, rainwater collectors, and construction and rehabilitation of existing water catchment facilities. Citizens are encouraged to undertake the construction of rainwater harvesters and collectors for residential use, and organizations and corporations and building administrators are likewise encouraged to undertake the construction of rainwater harvesters and collectors for building use.
2. The Central Water Commission shall lead national and local efforts in promoting water conservation and the maximization of water resources.

Section III. Reorganization of the Central Water Commission.
1. The utilization, exploitation, development, conservation and protection of water resources shall be subject to the control and regulation of the government through the Central Water Commission.

2. The existing Central Water Commission is reorganized as an independent national government agency, and shall have the duty and responsibility to ensure that the people have safe and clean water to drink, as well as to help secure the water needed for industry, agriculture, and other economic activities.

3. The Central Water Commission shall be composed of:a. All Secretaries of Departments
b. 6 Aldurian citizens of demonstrated competence in water issues, to serve staggered terms of 3 years, and appointed by the President on recommendation of the Prime Minister
c. The President of Alduria shall chair the meetings of the Commission when personally present. In his absence, the Prime Minister or the Secretary of the Interior shall chair the meetings of the Commission. The Commission shall elect a Vice Chair from among themselves who shall preside over meetings in the absence of the President, Prime Minister, or Secretary of the Interior.

4. The chief executive of the Central Water Commission shall be the Director-General, who shall be appointed by the President of Alduria for a term of three years from a list of qualified individuals on recommendation of the Commission, but may be removed for cause by three-fourths majority vote of all the members of the Commission. The Director-General shall determine the staffing pattern of the Commission staff and appoint or contract its subordinate officials. The Director-General shall submit an annual report on the operations of the Commission to the President of Alduria, the Prime Minister, and the Parliament. The Director-General shall be assisted by no more than 9 Deputy Directors-General, who shall be appointed by him and serve at his pleasure.

5. The Commission is hereby authorized to impose and collect reasonable fees or charges for water resources development from water appropriators, except when it is for purely domestic purposes. 

6. The Commission or its duly authorized representatives, in the exercise of its power to investigate and decide cases brought to its cognizance, shall have the power to administer oaths, compel the attendance of witnesses by subpoena and the production of relevant documents by subpoena duces tecum.

7. The Commission may deputize any government agency, official, employee or any Aldurian citizen to assist it in the performance of its functions.

Section IV. Finances and reporting.
1. All funds collected by the Central Water Commission in the course of its operations shall be retained by the Central Water Commission, provided that ten percentum of its annual net revenue shall be remitted to the National Treasury, and that twenty-five percentum of its annual net revenue shall accrue to a Development Fund for the improvement of water facilities throughout Alduria. 

2. An initial fund of One Billion Ecus is appropriated from the Development Fund for Alduria and credited to the Central Water Commission to implement this Act, subject to review by the Cabinet and the Parliament.

Section V. Prohibited Acts.

1. No person shall raise or lower the water level of a river stream, lake, lagoon, or marsh nor drain the same without a permit from the Commission.

2. When the use, conveyance or storage of waters results in damage to another, the person responsible for the damage shall pay compensation.

3. Any watershed or any area of land adjacent to any surface water or overlying any ground water may declared by the Central Water Commission as a protected area. Rules and regulations may be promulgated by the Commission to prohibit or control such activities by the owners or occupants thereof within the protected area which may damage or cause the deterioration of the surface water or ground water or interfere with the investigation, use, control, protection, management or administration of such waters.

Section VI. Commencement, Severability.

1. This act shall not become law until it has received proper constitutional approval.
   
2. The provisions of this act are severable. If any part of this act is declared invalid or unconstitutional, that declaration shall not affect the part which remains.
   

 

Parliament will now come to order to consider this bill, presented by the Prime Minister on behalf of the Government. 

The Chair now recognizes The Prime Minister.

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

This bill sets out important measures to address both the short-term and long-term challenges that have resulted in the water crisis--and to take meaningful steps to address the symptoms of this crisis so that it never occurs again. I commend my honourable friend, the Secretary of the Interior, for his excellent work in drafting this bill. This bill represents an important step forward by the Government to address this critical crisis, and I encourage all members of Parliament to lend support to this vital legislation.

[Speaker Rejo]

The Chair now opens the floor for general debate. All members may offer debate or amendments at this time. Debate shall last for no less than 48 hours.

[Seydlitz]

Madam Speaker,

I rise before this honorable House today to state that we only realize the value of something once we have lost it.

This Republic saw this happen fairly recently, when we, quite literally, went thirsty. 

This measure intends to address that problem, and I ask distinguished colleagues to adopt it accordingly.

I propose an amendment to Section II, by including an additional subsection to read,

"The Central Water Commission shall lead national and local efforts in promoting water conservation and the maximization of water resources."

I yield.

[Alfonso Velez]

Madam Speaker,

The Government is happy to accept this amendment as a friendly amendment.

[Speaker Rejo]

Mr. Seydlitz's amendment is recognized and accepted as friendly by the Government. Therefore, it is incorporated into the bill.

[Speaker Rejo]

All time for debate has now expired. The question is: Shall Parliament pass the pending bill? Voting shall last for no less than 48 hours

DIVISION: CLEAR THE LOBBIES!

[Alfonso Velez]

AYE

[Tzvi Barak]

New Center votes AYE

[Seydlitz]

Seydlitz votes Aye