SRC-SEW S.B. 1352 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1352
77R7054 BDH-DBy: Armbrister
Natural Resources
3/26/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the owner of any public or private upland bordered by or
contiguous to coastal public land (littoral property), without obtaining an
easement from the board, is authorized to construct a pier which that is
100 feet or less in length and 25 feet or less in width.  This law was
enacted in 1995; however, no grandfather clause was included providing for
piers constructed before 1995 with dimensions greater than 100 feet in
length and 25 feet in width, and the penalties in place for violating these
current dimensions are costly.  As proposed, S.B. 1352 changes the maximum
allowable dimensions of a pier constructed on littoral property to 115 feet
or less in length and 25 feet or less in width.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 33.115(a), Natural Resources Code, to authorize
the owner of littoral property, without obtaining an easement from the
School Land Board (board), to construct a pier which is 115 (rather than
100) feet or less in length and 25 feet or less in width. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.