BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1205

By: Campbell

Appropriations

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Carrizo cane is an invasive species in the Rio Grande Valley that absorbs vast amounts of water along river banks and has been known to prevent law enforcement from pursuing suspects entering into the United States from the border with Mexico due to the height and thickness of the Carrizo cane in certain areas. It has been noted that the State Soil and Water Conservation Board has begun using a low-toxic herbicide to kill the plant. Because this herbicide is a slow‑acting herbicide that needs to be continually reapplied, there have been calls to ensure that the board has adequate funding to continue its eradication efforts. S.B. 1205 seeks to provide a $10 million appropriation to the board for this purpose, contingent on the board also receiving at least that amount in federal funds.

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

Contingent on the State Soil and Water Conservation Board receiving at least $10 million in federal funds for use during the 2020-2021 state fiscal biennium for the purpose of eradicating Carrizo cane along the Rio Grande River, S.B. 1205 appropriates $10 million from the general revenue fund to the board for that purpose. The board is required to implement a provision of the bill only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the legislature does not make such an appropriation, the board may, but is not required to, implement a provision of the bill using other appropriations available for that purpose.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.