BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                             H.B. 542

                                                                                                                                         By: Bonnen

                                                                                                                           Government Reform

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The enacting legislation creating the navigation district for Freeport Harbor, formally named the district "Brazos River Harbor Navigation District of Brazoria County."  For years, users, elected officials, staff and constituents, as well as the port's marketing tools, have referred to the port as "Port Freeport."  In order to simplify the name and render a common referral to the port, H. B. 542 would rename the navigation district "Port Freeport."

 

Similarly, H. B. 542 would change the name of the governing body to the "Port Commission" and its members "Port Commissioners," which are more commonly used titles among public ports in the U.S.

 

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. 542 Amends Chapter 55, Acts of the 40th Legislature, 1st Called Session, 1927, by changing the name of the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District of Brazoria County to "Port Freeport."  It also changes the name of the district's governing body to "Port Commission."  Additionally, changes the name of each member of the Port Commission to "Port Commissioner."  Likewise, changes any reference in law to the Brazos River Harbor Navigation District of Brazoria County to mean "Port Freeport."

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.