BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2080
	By: Alvarado
	Transportation
	4/14/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The purpose of S.B. 2080 is to update laws related to the regulation of navigation districts and port authorities' management of records, meetings, contracts, and taxes. Current Texas law does not establish regulations for the storage and management of electronic records. Current law also does not provide exceptions for closed meetings held to discuss sensitive security matters, such as cybersecurity or port safety. Additionally, existing statutes lack the flexibility necessary for efficiently managing contracts and routine expenditures. Furthermore, the Tax Code does not fully address or define the scope of navigation-related commercial activities.���������

S.B. 2080 adds Section 441.1681 to the Government Code, requiring procedures for the electronic storage and management of port records. Additionally, S.B. 2080 adds Section 60.503 to the Water Code to exempt port commissions from recording closed meetings discussing security measures. To address current financial and operational needs, S.B. 2080 amends Section 60.403 of the Water Code and Section 54.054 of the Transportation Code, increasing the spending limits for routine purchases to $50,000 for port staff and $500,000 with delegated authority. Further, the legislation removes navigation districts, port authorities, or certain boards described in Chapter 54 of the Transportation Code from classification as a government entity when entering into contracts, so that workers compensation is not a condition of a contract under Section 2252.909(a) of the Government Code. Finally, S.B. 2080 expands the definition of "navigation related commerce" in Section 25.07(e) of the Tax Code to include more types of port-related activities such as a lease to public docks, operating a cruise ship terminal and managing port facilities for improvement. No opposition has been identified at this time.

As proposed, S.B. 2080 amends current law relating to the records, management, and taxation of navigation districts and certain port and harbor facilities.

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 Subchapter J, Chapter 441, Government Code, by adding Section 441.1681, as follows:

Sec. 441.1681. ELECTRONIC STORAGE OF CERTAIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT RECORDS. (a) Authorizes the governing body of a navigation district or port authority, or a board of trustees (board) described by Chapter 54 (Harbor and Port Facilities in Certain Municipalities), Transportation Code, to establish alternative storage and retention standards and procedures for records of a navigation district, port authority, or board. Requires that the rules establish certain standards and procedures.

(b) Prohibits the standards and procedures under this section from establishing a retention period that is shorter than a retention period prescribed by a state or federal law, regulation, or rule of court.

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter Q, Chapter 60, Water Code, by adding Section 60.503, as follows:

Sec. 60.503. CLOSED MEETINGS. Provides that, notwithstanding Section 551.103 (Certified Agenda or Recording Required), Government Code, a port commission is not required to make a recording of the proceedings of a closed meeting to deliberate security measures, including cybersecurity measures, related to the navigation district or port authority.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 60.403(a), Water Code, to authorize a port commission to delegate authority to certain persons to make routine purchases or contracts in an amount not to exceed $500,000, which is required to be deemed the amount provided for under Chapter 60 (Navigation Districts�General Provisions) for routine purchases or contracts authorized for the district or port authority, rather than an amount not to exceed $100,000.

SECTION 4. Amends Section 2252.909(a), Government Code, as added by Chapter 1008 (H.B. 2518), Acts of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, to redefine "governmental entity."

SECTION 5. Amends Section 54.054, Transportation Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c), as follows:

(a) Authorizes the board, except for routine purchases and contracts and except as otherwise provided by this chapter, to award a contract involving the expenditure of funds in excess of the amount applicable to an expenditure of funds by a municipality under Section 252.021(a) (relating to requiring a municipality to fulfill certain requirements), Local Government Code, only by competitive bidding.

(c) Authorizes certain persons to make routine purchases or contracts in an amount not to exceed $50,000. Authorizes a board to delegate authority to certain persons to make routine purchases or contracts in an amount not to exceed $500,000, which is required to be deemed the amount provided for under Section 54.054 (Competitive Bidding) for routine purchases or contracts.

SECTION 6. Amends Section 25.07(e), Tax Code, to redefine "navigation-related commerce."

SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 2025.