BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 1679 By: Ratliff Natural Resources 4-28-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The 73rd Legislature passed S.B. 964 which added a new section to the Natural Resources Code requiring certain notices regarding coastal property. The new section required the boundary survey to be made by a licensed state land surveyor. There are a limited number of licensed state land surveyors in comparison to all professional land surveyors, and this restriction is unnecessary. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1679 provides that surveys of coastal property can be made by registered professional land surveyors as well as licensed state land surveyors in order to comply with the notice requirements under Section 33.135, Natural Resources Code. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 33.135(a), Natural Resources Code, to provide that a licensed state land surveyor or a registered professional land surveyor are those persons who may determine the changing coastal area boundary, in a notice regarding coastal area property, that is required as part of a written contract for sale, transfer or conveyance of real property adjoining and abutting the tidally influenced waters of the state. SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1995. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.