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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to creation of the gulf coast protection account to be |
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administered by the General Land Office. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 31, Natural Resources |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 31.070 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 31.070. GULF COAST PROTECTION ACCOUNT. (a) The gulf |
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coast protection account is a dedicated account in the general |
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revenue fund administered by the land office under this section and |
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rules adopted by the land office. |
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(b) The gulf coast protection account consists of: |
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(1) money from gifts, donations, and grants; and |
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(2) money appropriated, credited, or transferred to |
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the account by the legislature. |
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(c) Money in the gulf coast protection account may be used |
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only to pay for expenditures that: |
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(1) are necessary to fulfill nonfederal sponsor |
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obligations under agreements with the United States Army Corps of |
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Engineers for implementing projects included in the plan |
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recommended by the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration |
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Feasibility Study Final Report and Final Environmental Impact |
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Statement dated August 2021 issued by the Galveston District, |
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Southwestern Division, of the United States Army Corps of Engineers |
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and the land office; |
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(2) comply with the terms of a local cooperation |
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agreement executed by the land office and the Gulf Coast Protection |
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District established under Chapter 9502, Special District Local |
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Laws Code; and |
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(3) are for projects that: |
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(A) are necessary or useful for the protection of |
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the portion of the gulf coast located within the territory of the |
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district; or |
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(B) would benefit the district and are designated |
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as Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects within the Coastal Texas |
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Study. |
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(d) The legislature finds that the expenditure of money in |
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the gulf coast protection account in accordance with Subsection (c) |
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serves a public purpose. |
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(e) The expenditure of money in the gulf coast protection |
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account is subject to audit by the state auditor. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |