BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 2126
86R28262 SLB-F	By: Creighton; Buckingham
	Water & Rural Affairs
	4/22/2019
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The United States Army Corps of Engineers identified a need for continuous dredging in certain river basins in the State of Texas. Currently, the bureaucracy is over-burdensome for river authorities to contract out for this service. S.B. 2126 will cut red tape and allow river authorities to contract for the removal of material from river basins if it is for the purpose of flood mitigation. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 2126 amends current law relating to taking sand, gravel, marl, shell, and mudshell from the San Jacinto River and its tributaries.

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. Amends Chapter 86, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Section 86.0192, as follows:

Sec. 86.0192. EXEMPTION FOR CERTAIN POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS. (a) Provides that this section applies only to the following political subdivisions:

(1) San Jacinto River Authority; and

(2) Harris County Flood Control District.

(b) Authorizes a political subdivision 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.

(c) Provides that a political subdivision acting under this section is not required to obtain a permit or pay a fee to take sand, gravel, marl, shell, or mudshell taken under Subsection (b), or purchase sand, gravel, marl, shell, or mudshell taken under Subsection (b).

(d) Authorizes a political subdivision acting under this section to deposit sand, gravel, marl, shell, or mudshell taken under Subsection (b) on private land.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.