SRC-PNG S.B. 708 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 708
76R4896 MI-FBy: Jackson
Natural Resources
4/6/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, no approved management plans are in place to protect Texas
estuaries.  This bill would implement and finance approved management plans
for designated estuaries of national significance in the state 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 708 provides for the implementation and financing of
approved management plans for designated estuaries of national significance
in the state. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.  Defines "approved implementation program,"
"approved comprehensive conservation and management plan," "implementing
agency," and "National Estuary Program." 

SECTION 2. RECOGNITION OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ESTUARIES OF TEXAS
COAST.  Recognizes the state and national significance of Texas coast
estuaries and recognizes that the cooperative efforts created by the
National Estuary Program serve a public and state purpose. Sets forth that
by virtue of that state purpose, an approved implementation program
established under the National Estuary Program is eligible to receive state
funds through a grant program administered by the Coastal Coordination
Council. 

SECTION 3. FINDING OF BENEFIT AND PUBLIC PURPOSE.  Recognizes the
importance of implementing estuary management plans by protecting and
improving water quality and restoring estuarine habitat that makes the bays
and estuaries productive and continuing the involvement of the public and
the many interests who use and appreciate the estuarine resources of Texas.
Sets forth that state participation in estuary programs to protect state
resources serves a public use and benefit. 

SECTION 4. LEAD STATE AGENCY.  Provides that the Coastal Coordination
Council is the lead state agency for the implementation of approved
comprehensive and management plans developed under the National Estuary
Program. 

SECTION 5. STATE AGENCY PARTICIPATION.  Requires certain state agencies to
participate and provide assistance to the estuary programs in implementing
approved comprehensive conservation and management plans. 

SECTION 6. ESTUARY PROGRAM OFFICES.  Requires the estuary program office of
the Galveston Bay Estuary, the Coastal Bend Bays Estuaries, and any other
estuary of the state included in the National Estuary Program to be
maintained in the region of the estuary involved. 

SECTION 7. IMPLEMENTATION FUNDING. Sets forth that funding for the
implementation of approved comprehensive conservation and management plans
is to be shared by the state, local governments in the area of the
estuaries, and the federal government. 
 
SECTION 8. ELIGIBILITY FOR STATE FUNDING.  Provides that a comprehensive
conservation and management plan is eligible for state funding to assist in
implementation of the plan if certain conditions are met. 

SECTION 9. ADMINISTRATION.  Authorizes the Coastal Coordination Council and
any state agency designated as an implementing agency for an approved
comprehensive conservation and management plan to accept and make grants
and enter into contracts to accomplish the actions identified in the
approved plan and to further the purposes of this Act. 

SECTION 10. EMERGENCY. Emergency clause.
     Effective date: upon passage.