BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4695

By: Deshotel

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the board of port commissioners of the Port of Port Arthur Navigation District of Jefferson County recently conducted an informal survey resulting in recommendations believed to be in the best interest of affected taxpayers relating to the compensation packages for district commissioners and employees. H.B. 4695 seeks to address these recommendations by revising the district's enabling law.

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. 4695 amends Chapter 197, Acts of the 58th Legislature, Regular Session, 1963, to provide for benefits for the members of the board of port commissioners of the Port of Port Arthur Navigation District of Jefferson County and for district employees. The bill replaces the requirement that the commissioners court of Jefferson County, upon requisition of the board, levy certain district taxes with a requirement for the board to impose such taxes.

H.B. 4695 provides for the validation and confirmation of certain district actions and prohibits a governmental act or proceeding of the district occurring after such a validated act or proceeding from being held invalid on the ground that the prior act or proceeding, in the absence of the bill, was invalid.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

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