BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4712

By: Miller

Natural Resources

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been reported that, due to recent floods in the Houston area, certain areas along the Brazos River are eroding at an unprecedented rate. It has also been suggested that to help control and prevent further erosion the board of directors of the Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 7 would like to undertake a Brazos River erosion control design build project. H.B. 4712 seeks to help the board do so by setting out provisions relating to the district's powers and duties.

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. 4712 amends the Special District Local Laws Code to replace the term "project" as used with respect to provisions relating to the Fort Bend County Levee Improvement District No. 7 with the term "reuse project." The bill removes an authorization for the district to use certain delivery methods for such a project. The bill authorizes the district to use a delivery method described by the following provisions for the design and construction of erosion control facilities located in or adjacent to the Brazos River and any related facility or improvement:

·       Government Code provisions relating to contracting and delivery procedures for construction projects; or

·       Water Code provisions applicable to certain water districts relating to construction, equipment, materials, and machinery contracts.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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