BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2565

By: Dominguez

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that certain navigation districts are subject to outdated administrative provisions. H.B. 2565 seeks to address this issue by revising statutory provisions relating to the administration of these districts to better reflect their modern operation.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2565 amends the Water Code to authorize a self-liquidating navigation district to employ an executive director of the district. The bill requires the district, if the district employs an executive director, to prescribe the duties and compensation of the executive director and establishes that the duties of an executive director may be performed by a general manager, port director, or chief executive officer. The bill revises provisions relating to the powers and duties of such a navigation district, including the transfer of certain duties from the board of navigation and canal commissioners to the district, the payment of compensation and expenses relating to the district, and the supervision of, inspection of, and payment for work contracted by the district. The bill provides for the disposition of salvage or surplus personal property of the district and repeals the requirement that the district engineer make a detailed report regarding contract compliance.

H.B. 2565 repeals Section 63.175(b), Water Code.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.