SRC-HRD H.B. 2914 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2914 By: Stiles (Galloway) Natural Resources 5-6-97 Engrossed DIGEST Pleasure Island in Jefferson County has a interesting history dating back to its creation at the turn of the century. The island is man-made from the spoils generated by the creation of the intercoastal waterway. The core of the island was in place by 1908 and it has been fortified, expanded, and developed since that time. The island is presently divided into six tracts, some of which are further divided into subtracts. The City of Port Arthur holds ownership rights to all of the island except the first designated tract, which is held and maintained by the United States Corps of Engineers. Mineral rights to the island are owned by the State of Texas. The City of Port Arthur acquired the remaining tracts at different times and in various manners. Some of these tracts are encumbered by restrictions created by legislation in the 1960s or by the state title at the time the tracts were transferred. The Port Arthur City Council appoints the Pleasure Island Commission to oversee the development of the island. However, due to the current condition of jumbled tracts, restrictions, and ownership interests, the city and the commission have been impeded in their development efforts. H.B. 2914 would allow the City of Port Arthur to purchase all remaining ownership interests, without restrictions, in Pleasure Island, excluding tract 1, maintained by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, and all mineral rights which are reserved to the State of Texas. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2914 allows the City of Port Arthur to purchase all remaining ownership interests, without restrictions, in Pleasure Island, excluding tract 1, maintained by the U.S. Corps of Engineers, and all mineral rights which are reserved to the State of Texas. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Requires the state, except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, to grant and relinquish the state's right, title, and interest in and to the real property described by Subsection (e) of this section to the City of Port Arthur if the City of Port Arthur pays the sum of $25,000 to the General Land Office for the benefit of the permanent school fund. Requires the commissioner of the General Land Office (commissioner), on behalf of the state, to convey the real property by issuing a patent to the City of Port Arthur. Requires the commissioner to reserve certain ownership and easements. Sets forth certain provisions that are effective after the real property is conveyed to the City of Port Arthur. Provides that all previous grants, leases, easements, or other conveyances of the real property are confirmed. Provides that this Act does not affect the rights or title of any private person or governmental entity to any part of the real property. Provides that the patent issued by the commissioner as authorized by this section enures to the benefit of the legal owners of the real property. Sets forth a description regarding the location of the real property referred to in this section. SECTION 2. Provides that the state revokes and cancels all grants made to the City of Port Arthur in and to the real property described by Subsection (c) of this section that were executed before the effective date of this Act. Provides that on the date the state executes the instrument revoking and canceling all grants made to the City of Port Arthur as provided by Subsection (a) of this section, the real property becomes property of the permanent school fund. Provides that the real property referred to in this section consists of all real property commonly known as Pleasure Island, which is located in Jefferson County, Texas, that was conveyed to the City of Port Arthur by legislative act of this state before the effective date of this Act, excluding the real property described by SECTION 1(e) of this Act. SECTION 3. Requires the commission, after the commissioner issues the patent as authorized by SECTION 1 of this Act, to cancel certain patents. SECTION 4. Repealers: Chapter 181, Special Laws, Acts of the 42nd Legislature, Regular Session, 1931; Chapter 22, Acts of the 43rd Legislature, 1st Called Session, 1933; Chapter 219, Acts of the 54th Legislature, Regular Session, 1955; Chapter 206, Acts of the 60th Legislature, Regular Session, 1967; Chapter 826, Acts of the 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1993; and any law enacted before the effective date of this Act that is in conflict with this Act, to the extent of the conflict. SECTION 5. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.