BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2784

By: Faircloth

Land & Resource Management

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that it is the state's policy that the public have free and unrestricted access to state-owned beaches bordering the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico. However, it has been observed that camping for extended periods of time on these beaches creates negative consequences for the beaches and for the health and safety of the general public. C.S.H.B. 2784 seeks to protect and preserve Texas beaches and ensure Texans' well-being.

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

C.S.H.B. 2784 amends the Natural Resources Code to authorize the commissioners court of a county bordering on the Gulf of Mexico or its tidewater limits, by order, to regulate camping on a beach within the boundaries of the county that is not in a public park under the jurisdiction of another governmental entity. The bill authorizes the county to define "camping" and restrict the length of time for which a person may camp on the beach.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2784 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.