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BILL ANALYSIS |
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By: Lucio |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The Texas coastal management program is implemented through the Coastal Coordination Council, an interagency board established and organized in accordance with provisions of the Natural Resources Code. The council distributes federal grant money annually and reviews United States Army Corp of Engineers permit requests for consistency with state laws when requested. The statute requires the council to meet once in each calendar quarter. Either the Commissioner of the General Land Office, as chair of the council, or any three members of the council may convene special meetings at other times.
The council needs the flexibility to meet less often and only when necessary to conduct the business of the council. There have been times when the council has convened a meeting only to meet the statutory requirement, having no agenda items to consider. Additionally, the consistency reviews conducted by the council have very short timelines for making the consistency determination. Regularly scheduled quarterly meetings may not fall within the required timeline to respond on consistency issues.
S.B. 803 requires the council to meet twice each calendar year, rather than once in each calendar quarter, and as necessary to conduct the business of the council. S.B. 803 authorizes the chair or any three members to convene the council at any time and place.
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
S.B. 803 amends the Natural Resources Code to require the Coastal Coordination Council (council) to meet twice each calendar year and as necessary to conduct the business of the council. The bill authorizes the chair or any three members of the council to convene meetings at such times and places as they may determine necessary and appropriate. The bill deletes existing text requiring the council to meet once in each calendar quarter and authorizing the chair or any three members of the council to convene special meetings at other times.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2009.