BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1013

By: Corte

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The military has an important and historic presence in Texas and is a cornerstone of many local economies in the state. The continued viability of military installations is an ongoing concern for local governments. These installations must meet functional requirements, such as the ability to host nighttime exercises, in order to prove their utility to the military. 

H.B. 1013, in order to protect installations' functionality, allows the commissioners court of a county within five miles of an active military installation to regulate lighting at the request of the military installation commander.

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. 1013 amends the Local Government Code to remove the requirement that part of a county must be located immediately adjacent to a United States military installation, base, or camp for the commissioners court of the county to be authorized to adopt orders regulating the installation and use of outdoor lighting within five miles of the installation, base, or camp in any unincorporated territory of the county.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the act does not receive the necessary vote, the act takes effect September 1, 2009.