BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1082
	By: Taylor
	Natural Resources & Economic Development
	5/29/2019
	Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Texas Gulf Coast is a vital part of Texas' vibrant economy. Its location, however, leaves the region and its residents vulnerable to hurricanes and other damaging weather events. The Joint Interim Committee to Study a Coastal Barrier System was created in 2013 to study the desirability and feasibility of constructing a coastal barrier protection system. The committee has provided a forum to discuss this complex issue and gather information. Renewal of this committee will secure and allow academics, business leaders, elected officials, and coastal residents to continue this discussion as well as keep up to date on the studies underway on this topic as they approach completion.

 

S.B. 1082 continues the Joint Interim Committee to Study a Coastal Barrier System through the following interim. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

S.B. 1082 amends current law relating to the feasibility of creating and maintaining a coastal barrier system.

 

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. (a) Requires the legislature to establish a joint interim committee to continue to study the feasibility and desirability of creating and maintaining a coastal barrier system in this state that includes a series of gates and barriers to prevent storm surge damage to gulf beaches or coastal ports, industry, or property.

 

(b) Provides that the committee is composed of:

 

(1) the members of the standing committee of the senate that has primary jurisdiction over natural resources;

 

(2) the members of the standing committee of the house of representatives that has primary jurisdiction over land and resource management;

 

(3) two members of the senate appointed by the lieutenant governor, each of whom represents a district in a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico; and

 

(4) two members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, each of whom represents a district in a county that borders the Gulf of Mexico.

 

(c) Requires the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of representatives to jointly designate a chair or, alternatively, designate two co-chairs from among the committee membership.

 

(d) Authorizes the committee to adopt rules necessary to carry out the committee's duties under this section.

 

(e) Requires the committee, not later than December 1, 2020, to report to the governor and the legislature the findings of the study and any recommendations developed by the committee under this section.

 

(f) Provides that this committee is abolished and this Act expires January 11, 2021.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: June 1, 2019, or September 1, 2019.