H.B. 924 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 924
By: Eiland
Transportation
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

H.B. 924 78(R)    Originally, the Galveston County Navigation District No.
1 (district) boundary lines were drawn to be coextensive with the
Galveston city limits as they then existed.  At the present time, the City
of Galveston and other governmental units cover the entire island. Because
of population growth and development on the island, the district would
like to extend its boundaries.  HB924 requires an election to confirm such
an annexation by the Galveston County Navigation District No. 1. 

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

HB924 requires the board of navigation and canal commissioners of the
Galveston County Navigation District No. 1 (district) to call and hold an
election to confirm the extension of the boundaries of the district to
include all areas that, on the effective date of the Act, are within the
geographical boundaries of the city of Galveston, the city of Jamaica
Beach, and Galveston Island State Park and the unincorporated areas within
the Galveston County Municipal Utility District No. 1 - Pirates Beach.
The bill establishes provisions and requirements for the board of
navigation and canal commissioners of the district when conducting the
election. 

The bill provides that, on and after the entry of the order annexing the
additional territory to the district, the annexed territory is a part of
the district for all purposes.  If such an order is not entered before the
fifth anniversary of the effective date of the Act, the Act expires.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 states that nothing in this Act shall be
construed to grant ownership or control of any state-owned submerged land
within the expanded boundaries of the district to the navigation district;
or limit or otherwise affect the authority of the State of Texas, or
anyone claiming under the State of Texas, to enter or possess state-owned
land for the purpose of exploring for oil, gas, or other minerals within
or near the expanded boundaries.