88S40078 KBB-F
 
  By: Paul H.B. No. 112
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the creation of the Gulf Coast protection account to be
  administered by the General Land Office.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 31, Natural Resources
  Code, is amended by adding Section 31.070 to read as follows:
         Sec. 31.070.  GULF COAST PROTECTION ACCOUNT. (a)  The Gulf
  Coast protection account is a dedicated account in the general
  revenue fund administered by the land office under this section and
  rules adopted by the land office.
         (b)  The Gulf Coast protection account consists of:
               (1)  money from gifts, donations, and grants; and
               (2)  money appropriated, credited, or transferred to
  the account by the legislature.
         (c)  Money in the Gulf Coast protection account may be used
  only to pay for expenditures that:
               (1)  are necessary to fulfill nonfederal sponsor
  obligations under agreements with the United States Army Corps of
  Engineers for implementing projects included in the plan
  recommended by the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration
  Feasibility Study Final Report and Final Environmental Impact
  Statement, both dated August 2021 and issued by the Galveston
  District of the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the land
  office;
               (2)  comply with the terms of a local cooperation
  agreement executed by the land office and the Gulf Coast Protection
  District established under Chapter 9502, Special District Local
  Laws Code; and
               (3)  are for projects that:
                     (A)  are necessary or useful for the protection of
  the portion of the Gulf Coast located within the territory of the
  district; or
                     (B)  would benefit the district and are designated
  as coastal storm risk management projects within the Coastal Texas
  Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study.
         (d)  The legislature finds that the expenditure of money in
  the Gulf Coast protection account in accordance with Subsection (c)
  serves a public purpose.
         (e)  The expenditure of money in the Gulf Coast protection
  account is subject to audit by the state auditor.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.