BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1824
86R6073 AAF-D	By: Murr (Flores)
	Water & Rural Affairs
	5/3/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 1911, Chapter 86 of the Parks and Wildlife Code was implemented to address impacts to fish and wildlife resources from the excavation of sand, gravel, marl, shell, and mudshell in public waters. Section 86.017 of Chapter 86 of the Parks and Wildlife Code requires compensation for loss of public natural resources through payment of royalties on the sale of those materials excavated from Texas public waters. Although these certain sedimentary materials are common sources of construction aggregate, they also play a vital role in habitats for fish and other aquatic resources.

H.B. 1824 would allow the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to utilize royalties from the excavation of sand, gravel, marl, shell, and mudshell from Texas public waters to support habitat enhancement, preservation, and restoration of fish habitats in rivers and streams.

H.B. 1824 amends current law relating to use of funds collected by the Parks and Wildlife Commission from the sale of certain materials.

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 86.017, Parks and Wildlife Code, as follows:

Sec. 86.017.  USE OF FUNDS. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. Authorizes funds collected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWC) from the sale of marl, sand, gravel, shell, and mudshell, except as provided by Subsection (b), to be used for:

(1)�(3) makes nonsubstantive changes to these subdivisions; and

(4) the enhancement, preservation, and restoration of fish habitats in rivers and streams.

(b) Creates this subsection from existing text. Requires that no less than three-fourths of the proceeds from the sale of marl, sand, gravel, shell, and mudshell, after the payment of refunds, be used for:

(1) creates this subdivision from existing text and makes a nonsubstantive change; and

(2) the enhancement, preservation, and restoration of fish habitats in rivers and streams.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.