BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 1964
85R19201 JRJ-F	By: Creighton
	Higher Education
	5/4/2017
	Committee Report (Substituted)

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. (Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 1964 amends current law relating to the use of land in the William Goodrich Jones State Forest.

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 88, Education Code, by adding Section 88.1085, as follows:

Sec. 88.1085. USE OF LAND IN WILLIAM GOODRICH JONES STATE FOREST. (a) Defines "Jones State Forest" to mean the real property owned by the state for the use and benefit of The Texas A&M University System to demonstrate reforestation work under the Texas A&M Forest Service, consisting of approximately 1,733 acres in Montgomery County, and formally dedicated and named the William Goodrich Jones State Forest (Jones State Forest).

(b) Requires that the entire territory of the Jones State Forest remain natural, scenic, undeveloped, and open. Provides that no statute, rule, policy, or ordinance may be enforced with respect to the territory of the Jones State Forest, other than a statute, rule, policy, or ordinance that protects and preserves the natural resources, air quality, or water quality of the Jones State Forest.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.