BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1160
	By: Taylor
	Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs
	6/15/2021
	Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

S.B. 1160 will create an entity to manage the projects identified in the Coastal Texas and Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay studies located in Galveston, Chambers, Harris, Jefferson, and Orange Counties. These studies, led by the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in partnership with its state partner, the Texas General Land Office, offer solutions for the increasing frequency and intensity of storm surge flooding on the Texas Gulf Coast.

 

Currently, there is no entity in Texas that has the authority to sign a project partnership agreement (PPA) for projects listed in the Coastal Texas Study. In order to sign a PPA with the USACE, an entity must have the following: the ability to tax, eminent domain, and authority to sign a PPA. A local sponsor is required in order for the state to receive federal funding for these improvements. S.B. 1160 creates an entity that meets USACE requirements to be eligible for the federal funds.

 

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

S.B. 1160 amends current law relating to the creation of the Gulf Coast Protection District, provides authority to issue bonds, provides authority to impose fees, provides authority to impose a tax, and grants the power of eminent domain.

 

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 Subtitle K, Title 6, Special District Local Laws Code, by adding Chapter 9502, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 9502. GULF COAST PROTECTION DISTRICT

 

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

Sec. 9502.0101. DEFINITIONS. Defines "board," "director," "district," "ecosystem restoration report," and "protection and restoration study."

 

Sec. 9502.0102. NATURE OF DISTRICT. Provides that the Gulf Coast Protection District (district) is a special district created under Section 59 (Conservation and Development of Natural Resources; Development of Parks and Recreational Facilities; Conservation and Reclamation Districts; Indebtedness and Taxation Authorized), Article XVI (General Provisions), Texas Constitution.

 

Sec. 9502.0103. FINDINGS OF BENEFIT AND PUBLIC PURPOSE. (a) Provides that the creation of the district is essential to accomplish the purposes of Section 59, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, and other public purposes stated in this chapter.

 

(b) Provides that the creation of the district is necessary to establish an instrumentality for protecting the coast in Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, and Orange Counties in the manner provided by this chapter.

 

(c) Provides that the district is created to serve a public use and benefit.

 

(d) Provides that all land and other property included in the boundaries of the district will benefit from the works and projects accomplished by the district.

 

Sec. 9502.0104. DISTRICT TERRITORY. (a) Provides that the district is composed of the territory in Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jefferson, and Orange Counties and territory annexed to the district as described by Subsection (b).

 

(b) Requires the governing body of the district by order to annex to the district the territory of a county included in the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration Feasibility Study Final Integrated Feasibility Report and Environmental Impact Statement to be issued by the Galveston District, Southwestern Division, of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, the draft version of which was issued in October 2020 (protection and restoration study) at the request of the commissioners court of that county.

 

Sec. 9502.0105. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. (a) Provides that the district is subject to review under Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act), but is prohibited from being abolished under that chapter. Requires that the review be conducted under Section 325.025 (River Authorities Subject to Review), Government Code, as if the authority were a state agency scheduled to be abolished September 1, 2033, and every 12th year after that year.

 

(b) Requires that the limited review under this section assess the district's governance, management, operating structure, and compliance with legislative requirements.

 

(c) Requires the district to pay the cost incurred by the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission (Sunset) in performing the review. Requires Sunset to determine the cost, and the district to pay the amount promptly on receipt of a statement from Sunset detailing the cost.

 

(d) Prohibits the district from being required to conduct a management audit under 30 T.A.C. Chapter 292.

 

SUBCHAPTER B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Sec. 9502.0201. GOVERNING BODY; TERMS. (a) Provides that the district is governed by a board of 11 directors (board).

 

(b) Requires the commissioners courts of Chambers County, Galveston County, Harris County, Jefferson County, and Orange County each to appoint one director.

 

(c) Requires the governor, with the advice and consent of the Texas Senate, to appoint six directors as follows:

 

(1) two directors to represent Harris County, in addition to the member appointed by the commissioners court under Subsection (b);

 

(2) one director to represent a municipality in the district;

 

(3) one director to represent ports;

 

(4) one director to represent industry; and

 

(5) one director to represent environmental concerns.

 

(d) Requires the governor, in making the appointments required by Subsection (c), to ensure that residents of a single county do not make up a majority of the directors.

 

(e) Requires the governor to consult with the commissioners court of Harris County in making the appointments required by Subsection (c)(1) and with municipalities in the district in making the appointment required by Subsection (c)(2).

 

(f) Provides that directors serve staggered four-year terms.

 

(g) Requires the appointing entity, when a director's term expires, to appoint a successor.

 

(h) Requires the appointing entity, if a director's office becomes vacant by death, resignation, or removal, to appoint a director to serve for the remainder of the unexpired term.

 

(i) Requires the board to elect a presiding officer from among the directors to serve in that position for two years. Authorizes a director to serve as the presiding officer for not more than two consecutive terms.

 

(j) Requires the governor, notwithstanding Subsection (f), to designate from the 11 initial directors 5 directors to serve a first term of two years. Provides that this subsection expires September 1, 2025.

 

Sec. 9502.0202. QUALIFICATION. (a) Requires a director, to qualify for office, to be a registered voter who resides in the district.

 

(b) Requires a director described by Section 9502.0201(b) or (c)(1) or (2), to qualify for office, to be a resident of the county or municipality the person is appointed to represent.

 

Sec. 9502.0203. CERTAIN CONFLICTS PROHIBITED. (a) Provides that an individual is not eligible to serve as a director if, in the preceding 24 months, the individual had an interest in or was employed by or affiliated with a person who has submitted a bid or entered into a contract for a district project.

 

(b) Prohibits the board from employing or appointing an individual described by Subsection (a) to work for the district.

 

(c) Prohibits a director from acquiring a direct or indirect interest in a district project.�

 

Sec. 9502.0204. REIMBURSEMENT. Provides that a director is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses incurred in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of the board.

 

Sec. 9502.0205. VOTING. Provides that a concurrence of a majority of the directors is required for transacting any business of the district.

 

Sec. 9502.0206. TEMPORARY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. Requires the governor to appoint a temporary executive director for the district to serve until the initial board members hire an executive director for the district.

 

SUBCHAPTER. C. POWERS AND DUTIES

 

Sec. 9501.0301. GENERAL DISTRICT POWERS. (a) Authorizes the district, except as provided by this section, to:

 

(1) establish, construct, extend, maintain, operate, or improve a coastal barrier or storm surge gate in the manner provided by Chapter 571 (Seawalls and Levees in Coastal Municipalities and Counties), Local Government Code, for a county to establish, construct, extend, maintain, or improve a seawall;

 

(2) exercise the authority granted to counties to conduct any project described by Chapter 571, Local Government Code;

 

(3) establish, construct, and maintain recreational facilities for public use and environmental mitigation facilities related to a project described by Subdivision (1) or (2);

 

(4) establish, construct, maintain, or operate a project recommended in the Sabine Pass to Galveston Bay, Texas Coastal Storm Risk Management and Ecosystem Restoration Final Integrated Feasibility Report�Environmental Impact Statement issued by the Galveston District, Southwestern Division, of the United States Army Corps of Engineers in May 2017 (ecosystem restoration report) or the protection and restoration study; and

 

(5) provide interior drainage remediation or improvements to reduce additional flood risk for a project recommended in the ecosystem restoration report where additional flood risk results from the design or construction of a project described by Subdivision (1), (2), or (4).

 

(b) Provides that Sections 571.006 (Tax; Bonds), 571.007 (Prerequisites for Issuing Bonds; Election), 571.008 (Election Results), 571.009 (General Law Applicable to Bonds), and 571.010 (Handling of Bond Proceeds and Taxes), Local Government Code, do not apply to the district.

 

(c) Requires the district, before implementing a project described by Subsection (a), to consult with local, state, and federal entities to determine whether an environmental remediation response action is anticipated or located near or at the proposed location of the project.

 

(d) Requires the district, if implementation of a project described by Subsection (a) disrupts, wholly or partly, an ongoing or planned environmental remediation response action, to:

 

(1) consult with the responsible party of the environmental remediation response action; and

 

(2) coordinate implementation of the project in a manner that does not disrupt the environmental remediation response action.

 

Sec. 9502.0302. TAXES AND BONDS. (a) Requires the district to hold an election in the manner provided by Chapter 49 (Provisions Applicable to All Districts), Water Code, to obtain voter approval before the district is authorized to impose an ad valorem tax or issue bonds payable from ad valorem taxes.

 

(b) Authorizes the board to impose the tax at a rate not to exceed 5 cents on each $100 valuation.

 

(c) Authorizes the district, without an election, to issue bonds, notes, or other obligations secured by revenue other than ad valorem taxes.

 

(d) Authorizes the district to grant an abatement for a tax owed to the district in the manner provided by Chapter 312 (Property Redevelopment and Tax Abatement Act), Tax Code.

 

Sec. 9502.0303. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS. Provides that if the district enters into an agreement with another entity to implement a project recommended in the ecosystem restoration report or the protection and restoration study, the district:

 

(1) is required to develop a maintenance and operation plan for the project;

 

(2) is authorized to enter into a partnership with a private entity to fund a local share of the cost of the project; and

 

(3) is authorized to use any available money to provide matching funds to the United States Army Corps of Engineers to implement the project.

 

Sec. 9502.0304. ACQUISITION AND DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY AND RIGHTS. (a) Authorizes the district to purchase, lease, acquire by gift, maintain, use, and operate property of any kind appropriate for the exercise of the district's functions, including acquiring property by mutual agreement with a navigation district or a drainage district.

 

(b) Authorizes the district to acquire permits, licenses, and rights related to the exercise of the district's functions.

 

Sec. 9502.0305. COSTS OF RELOCATION OF PROPERTY; EASEMENTS. (a) Requires that all necessary relocations, raising, lowering, rerouting, or change in grade or alteration of construction be done at the sole expense of the district, in the event that the district, in the exercise of the power of eminent domain or power of relocation or any other power, makes necessary the relocation, raising, lowering, rerouting, or change in grade of or alteration in construction of any electric transmission or distribution line or telephone properties, facilities, or pipelines.

 

(b) Defines "sole expense."

 

(c) Provides that the district has all necessary or useful rights-of-way and easements along, over, under, and across all public, state, municipal, and county roads, highways, and places for any of its purposes. Requires the district to restore a used facility to its previous condition as nearly as possible at the sole expense of the district.

 

(d) Authorizes the district to acquire, sell, lease, convey, or otherwise dispose of a right-of-way or easement under terms and conditions determined by the district.

 

Sec. 9502.0306. AGREEMENTS. (a) Authorizes the district to enter into a cooperative agreement with a political subdivision, a state agency, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, or another federal agency for a purpose related to the study, design, construction, operation, or maintenance of a district project.

 

(b) Authorizes the district to enter into an interlocal agreement with a political subdivision for a purpose related to the study, design, construction, operation, or maintenance of a district project to include the acceptance of the assignment of rights or obligations in an existing design agreement or a project partnership agreement between the political subdivision and the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

 

Sec. 9502.0307. CONTRACTS GENERALLY. (a) Authorizes the district to enter into contracts and execute instruments that are necessary or convenient to the exercise of the district's powers, rights, duties, and functions. Authorizes a contract to be for any term, including for the life of any facility or structure in the territory of the district.

 

(b) Authorizes the district and another governmental entity to enter into a contract for the operation or maintenance of an authorized project in the same way that a political subdivision is authorized to contract with another governmental entity under Chapter 472 (Miscellaneous Provisions), Transportation Code, to construct or maintain a road or highway.

 

(c) Authorizes the district to enter into a project partnership agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers for the study, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of a project recommended in the ecosystem restoration report or the protection and restoration study.

 

(d) Provides that a public agency or political subdivision is authorized to:

 

(1) enter into a contract with the district;

 

(2) determine, agree, and pledge that all or any part of its payments under a contract with the district are required to be payable from any source, subject only to the authorization by a majority vote of the governing body of such public agency or political subdivision of the contract, pledge, and payments;

 

(3) use and pledge any available revenues or resources for and to the payment of amounts due under a contract with the district as an additional source of payment or as the sole source of payment and agree with the district to assure the availability of revenue and resources when required; and

 

(4) fix, charge, and collect impact fees and utility charges, if the public agency or political subdivision is otherwise authorized to impose the fees and charges, and to use and pledge revenue from the fees or charges to make payments to the district required under a contract with the district.

 

Sec. 9502.0308. REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN CONTRACTS. (a) Provides that Chapter 2269 (Contracting and Delivery Procedures for Construction Projects), Government Code, applies to the district's public work contracts, as defined by Section 2269.001 (Definitions), Government Code. Provides that Section 2269.003(d) (relating to providing that Chapter 2269 does not prevail over any law, rule, or regulation relating to the procurement of and the competitive bidding or competitive sealed proposals for construction services), Government Code, does not apply to the district.

 

(b) Requires the district to comply with Subchapter A (Professional Services), Chapter 2254 (Professional and Consulting Services), Government Code. �

 

Sec. 9502.0309. CONFLICT WITH ORDER OR ACTION OF ANOTHER POLITICAL SUBDIVISION. Provides that an order or action of the Harris County Flood Control District, a river authority, a port authority, a navigation district, or a drainage district relating to the operation or maintenance of a district project supersedes an order or action of the district to the extent of any conflict. ��

 

Sec. 9502.0310. AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP BARRIER CLOSURE PROCEDURES. Requires the district, if the district implements a project to create a coastal barrier, to develop closure procedures in conjunction with each board of trustees established under Chapter 54 (Harbor and Port Facilities in Certain Municipalities), Transportation Code, port authority, navigation district, and drainage district affected by the barrier or closure. Requires the district, for the Texas City Channel, to develop closure procedures with any common carrier terminal railroad providing rail and maritime terminal services to the users of the navigation channel.

 

Sec. 9502.0311. ANNUAL REPORT REQUIRED. Requires the district to annually submit a report to the legislature, the Legislative Budget Board, the General Land Office, and the commissioners court of each county in which the district is located. Requires that the report:

 

(1) describe the district's financial condition and operations during the preceding year;

 

(2) propose a budget for the following year; and

 

(3) describe generally the work proposed for the following year.

 

Sec. 9502.0312. EMINENT DOMAIN. (a) Authorizes the district to exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire a fee simple or other interest in any type of property if the interest is necessary or convenient for the exercise of the district's functions. Requires the district to exercise the power of eminent domain in the manner provided by Chapter 21 (Eminent Domain), Property Code.

 

(b) Prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain to acquire property owned or operated by a port authority, navigation district, drainage district, or common carrier railroad.

 

SECTION 2. Provides that all requirements of the constitution and laws of this state and the rules and procedures of the legislature with respect to the notice, introduction, and passage of this Act are fulfilled and accomplished.

 

SECTION 3. (a) Provides that Section 9502.0312, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of this Act, takes effect only if this Act receives a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house.

 

(b) Provides that, if this Act does not receive a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house, Subchapter C, Chapter 9502, Special District Local Laws Code, as added by Section 1 of this Act, is amended by adding Section 9502.0312, as follows:

 

Sec. 9502.0312. NO EMINENT DOMAIN POWER. Prohibits the district from exercising the power of eminent domain.

 

(c) Provides that, this section is not intended to be an expression of a legislative interpretation of the requirements of Section 17(c) (relating to authorizing the legislature, to enact a general, local, or special law granting the power of eminent domain to an entity only on a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house), Article I (Bill of Rights), Texas Constitution.

 

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.