SRC-PNG S.B. 1500 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1500
76R8060 SMH-DBy: Lindsay
Natural Resources
4/1/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, under Texas law, property acquired by certain municipalities for
airport purposes may be used for wetland mitigation.  This bill would
prohibit the use of property acquired by certain municipalities for airport
purposes for wetland mitigation. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1500 prohibits the use of property acquired by certain
municipalities for airport purposes for wetland mitigation. 

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 Chapter 22B, Transportation Code, by adding Section
22.027, as follows: 

Sec 22.027.  PROHIBITION ON USE OF AIRPORT FOR WETLAND MITIGATION.
Prohibits a municipality of 1.5 million or more that acquires property for
use as an airport from using the property to provide a mitigation credit
under Section 404, Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. Section
1344), and the guidelines developed by the Secretary of Army under that
section in order to offset an adverse impact to wetlands caused by the
discharge of dredged or fill material into the navigable waters at another
disposal site. Provides that this section expires September 1, 2005. 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.