SRC-TJG S.B. 641 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 641
78R5688 MI-FBy: West
Natural Resources
3/5/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a court may dismiss the legal meaning of state land records in
disputes involving the littoral boundaries of state-owned land.  As
proposed, S.B. 641 creates a presumption that documents of record,
including maps and surveys, in the archives of the General Land Office
accurately depict boundaries of patents, grants, and titles emanating from
the state. 

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 Chapter 18B, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, by adding
Section 18.033, as follows: 

Sec. 18.033.  STATE LAND RECORDS.  (a) Provides that in a dispute
involving the littoral boundaries of state-owned land, certain documents
placed of record in the archives of the General Land Office are presumed
to accurately depict the boundaries described in those documents. 

(b) Provides that this presumption applies only to those surveys conducted
by a licensed state land surveyor or county surveyor. 

(c) Authorizes the presumption to be overcome only on a showing of clear
and convincing evidence that the boundary as described and depicted in the
archives of the General Land Office is erroneous.  

SECTION 2.  (a) Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.

(b) Makes application of this Act prospective.