H.B. 917 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 917
By: Eiland
Natural Resources
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

In 1999, the 76th Legislature gave the General Land Office authority to
undertake coastal erosion studies and projects.  These studies and
projects are undertaken with qualified project partners, which are
currently required to pay at least 15 percent of the shared project cost.
"Qualified project partners" is defined in the Natural Resources Code to
include local government entities. 
  
The bill allows counties and municipalities to incur debt to participate
as qualified project partners in the General Land Office's coastal erosion
response program.  The debt incurred would be used to pay a percentage of
the shared cost of an erosion response project. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

H.B. 917 amends the Local Government Code by adding a new subsection which
authorizes coastal cities or counties to issue debt in order to raise
funds to use as the local match requirement for an erosion response
project under the General Land Office's coastal erosion program.  The bill
also authorizes a coastal city or county to issue debt to undertake a
beach or bay restoration project on their own.  


EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.