BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2126

By: Creighton

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recent reports indicate a need for continuous dredging in certain river basins in Texas. There are concerns that the process through which river authorities contract these services is burdensome and inefficient. S.B. 2126 seeks to address this issue by providing for the authority of certain political subdivisions to take sand, gravel, marl, shell, and mudshell from the San Jacinto River and its tributaries for certain flood mitigation purposes.                                                       

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

S.B. 2126 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to authorize the San Jacinto River Authority and the Harris County Flood Control District to take sand, gravel, marl, shell, and mudshell from the San Jacinto River and its tributaries to restore, maintain, or expand the capacity of the river and its tributaries to convey storm flows. The bill authorizes the authority and district to deposit on private land any sand, gravel, marl, shell, or mudshell taken for such a purpose. The bill expressly does not require the authority or district to purchase sand, gravel, marl, shell or mudshell taken under these provisions or to obtain a permit or pay a fee to take such materials.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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