BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2978

By: Howard

Land & Resource Management

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) and the City of Austin have expressed mutual interest in the conveyance of an easement for better pedestrian access on certain TSLAC property in North Austin. H.B. 2978 seeks to address this issue by requiring TSLAC and the city to enter into a certain agreement for the city's acquisition of such an easement.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2978 amends the Government Code to require the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) and the City of Austin to enter into an agreement under which the city may use any amount credited in favor of the city under an applicable contract between the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC) and the city regarding the transfer, sale, or exchange of real property or interests in real property to acquire, for a reasonable value, an easement across TSLAC property. The bill subjects the use of such an amount to approval by the TFC. The bill exempts a transaction governed by the bill's provisions from statutory provisions relating to notice of a sale or exchange of land by a political subdivision.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.