BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1964
	By: Creighton
	Higher Education
	4/24/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Jones State Forest, a 1,733-acre forest, originally called State Forest #2, was acquired in 1926 by the Forestry Department of The Texas A&M University System (now called the Texas A&M Forest Service). Funds for the purchase were appropriated by the Texas Legislature, with stipulations that the tracts be used for research, demonstration, and education, serving as examples of working forests to Texas landowners.

S.B. 1964 defines Jones State Forest specifically as real property owned by The Texas A&M University System consisting of approximately 1,733 acres in Montgomery County.

S.B. 1964 allows the Texas A&M board of regents to use or lease land in Jones State Forest for the construction of buildings or improvements for multipurpose uses, including academic, research, and private commercial uses, when in its judgment it is advantageous to the state to do so.

As proposed, S.B. 1964 amends current law relating to the use of land in Jones State Forest for academic and economic purposes.

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 88.1015, Education Code, by adding Subdivision (4), to define "Jones State Forest."

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 88, Education Code, by adding Section 88.1085, as follows:

Sec. 88.1085. USE OF LAND IN JONES STATE FOREST. (a) Authorizes the board of regents of The Texas A&M University System (board), notwithstanding any other provision in this subchapter (The Texas Forest Service), to use or lease land in Jones State Forest for the construction of buildings or improvements for multipurpose uses, including academic, research, and private commercial uses, when in its judgment it is advantageous to the state to do so.

(b) Requires net profits accruing from use or lease of land in Jones State forest under the authority of this section to be used at the discretion of the board.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.