BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3718

By: Spitzer

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the state owns a significant amount of generally unused land in certain areas near the Texas-Mexico border. The parties further note that Texas military forces have expressed a need for a new facility near the border as a staging area for border security efforts. These parties assert that, if it is feasible to use state-owned land, the costs of the new facility would be significantly lower without a land purchase. C.S.H.B. 3718 seeks to explore meeting this need in a manner that is affordable to the state.

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. 3718 requires the General Land Office (GLO) to evaluate the possible use of state-owned land within 25 miles of the Texas-Mexico border or inside the cattle fever tick permanent quarantine line for purposes of border security and to evaluate the possible use of the land as a staging area for law enforcement operations, for additional facilities for the Texas National Guard, and for the physical security of the Texas-Mexico border. The bill requires the GLO, not later than September 1, 2016, to submit a report on the results of the evaluation and any resulting recommendations to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the members of the legislature.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 3718 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.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  STUDY.  (a)  The General Land Office shall conduct a study evaluating the possible use of state-owned land within 25 miles of the Texas-Mexico border for purposes of border security. (b)  In conducting the study under Subsection (a) of this section, the General Land Office shall evaluate the possible use of the land: (1)  as a staging area for law enforcement operations; (2)  for additional facilities for the Texas National Guard; and (3)  for the physical security of the Texas-Mexico border.	SECTION 1.  EVALUATION.  The General Land Office shall evaluate the possible use of state-owned land within 25 miles of the Texas-Mexico border or inside the cattle fever tick permanent quarantine line for purposes of border security.  The General Land Office shall evaluate the possible use of the land: (1)  as a staging area for law enforcement operations; (2)  for additional facilities for the Texas National Guard; and (3)  for the physical security of the Texas-Mexico border.
SECTION 2.  REPORT.  Not later than September 1, 2016, the General Land Office shall submit a report on the results of the study and any resulting recommendations to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the members of the legislature.	SECTION 2.  REPORT.  Not later than September 1, 2016, the General Land Office shall submit a report on the results of the evaluation and any resulting recommendations to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the members of the legislature.
SECTION 3.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.