SRC-ARR S.B. 627 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 627
By: Truan
Border Affairs - Special
6/29/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas owns acres of state park land within a few miles of the
Rio Grande River under the jurisdiction of the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department (TPWD). Federal agencies that are responsible for patrolling the
border, interdiction of contraband, and capture of illegal immigrants have
general powers to pursue suspects across land, regardless of its ownership,
when in hot pursuit. State parkland is particularly vulnerable to damage
from off-road vehicles. S.B. 627 directs the Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department to coordinate with agencies of the federal government to
mitigate damage to the state parks. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 627 requires the Parks and Wildlife Department to work
with federal, state, and local agencies to mitigate environmental damage to
state parks. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 13.303, Parks and Wildlife Code, to require the
Parks and Wildlife Department (department) to implement programs and
coordinate with departments and agencies of the federal government,
including the United States Border Patrol and the Drug Enforcement
Administration, and other departments of the state and local government, if
necessary, to minimize environmental damages to any land under the control
and custody of the department along this state's border with Mexico. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.