BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1716

By: Oliveira

Business & Industry

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns regarding the current maximum term of a lease for land surface that can be provided by a navigation district in Texas. Interested parties note that, due to increasing attention from investors seeking to invest in Texas ports, navigation districts need greater flexibility to extend the maximum leasing period to provide large investors assurances in their potential investment. H.B. 1716 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1716 amends the Water Code to increase from 30 years to 50 years the maximum term for which the navigation and canal commissions of certain navigation districts may lease the surface of land by entry of an order on the commission's minutes and the execution of a lease in the manner provided by the original order.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.