S.B. No. 710




AN ACT

relating to the share of the cost of a coastal erosion study or 
project required to be paid by a qualified project partner under an 
agreement with the commissioner of the General Land Office.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 33.603, Natural Resources Code, is 
amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (e) and 
(f) to read as follows:
	(c)  An agreement between the commissioner and a qualified 
project partner to undertake a coastal erosion response study or 
project:
		(1)  must require the qualified project partner to pay 
a specified percentage [at least 15 percent] of the shared project 
cost that is not less than the minimum amount prescribed by 
Subsection (e):
			(A)  before completion of the project; or                                    
			(B)  following completion of the project, in 
accordance with a schedule provided by the agreement; and
		(2)  may contain other terms governing the study or 
project.                
	(e)  A qualified project partner must pay:                              
		(1)  not less than 25 percent of the shared project cost 
if the project is a beach nourishment project on a public beach or 
bay shore; and
		(2)  not less than 40 percent of the shared project cost 
if the project is any other coastal erosion response study or 
project, including:
			(A)  a marsh restoration project; or                                  
			(B)  a bay shoreline protection project other than 
a beach nourishment project.
	(f)  Notwithstanding Subsections (c) and (e), each biennium 
the commissioner may undertake one large-scale beach nourishment 
project on a public beach without requiring a qualified project 
partner to pay a portion of the shared project cost if the cost of 
the project does not exceed one-third of the total amount 
appropriated to the land office for coastal erosion planning and 
response.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                           

                                                                              




______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 710 passed the Senate on 
April 3, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 710 passed the House on 
May 16, 2003, by a non-record vote.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor