By: Taylor of Galveston S.B. No. 695

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study of the feasibility and desirability of creating and maintaining a coastal barrier system.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) The legislature shall establish a joint interim committee to continue to study the feasibility and desirability of creating and maintaining a coastal barrier system in this state that includes a series of gates and barriers to prevent storm surge damage to gulf beaches or coastal ports, industry, or property.

(b) The committee is composed of:

(1) the members of the standing committee of the senate that has primary jurisdiction over natural resources;

(2) the members of the standing committee of the house of representatives that has primary jurisdiction over land and resource management;

(3) two members of the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor, each of whom represents a district in a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico; and

(4) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, each of whom represents a district in a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico.

(c) The lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives shall jointly designate a chair or, alternatively, designate two co-chairs from among the committee membership.

(d) The committee may adopt rules necessary to carry out the committee's duties under this section.

(e) Not later than December 1, 2016, the committee shall report to the governor and the legislature the findings of the study and any recommendations developed by the committee under this section.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.