BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1406
85R7471 SLB-F	By: Blanco (Hinojosa)
	Natural Resources & Economic Development
	5/4/2017
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Under current statute, when the General Land Office (GLO) sells property, it gives preference to certain political subdivisions, usually the city or county in which the property is located. If no qualifying political subdivision buys the land, GLO places the property up for auction to the general public. Federally recognized Indian tribes are not considered political subdivisions in this section, and are therefore not given preference in purchasing property from GLO. H.B. 1406 gives federally recognized Indian tribes the same preference as these political subdivisions.

 

H.B. 1406 amends current law relating to the authority of the asset management division of the General Land Office to sell real property to a federally recognized Indian tribe.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.0672(a), Natural Resources Code, as follows:

 

(a) Authorizes the asset management division of the General Land Office (GLO) to directly sell certain real property to a political subdivision, a certain development corporation, or a federally recognized Indian tribe, as listed by the United States secretary of the interior under 25 U.S.C. Section 5131, if the commissioner of GLO determines the sale is in the best interest of the state.�

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.