HBA-RBT S.B. 296 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 296
By: Jackson
Natural Resources
4/20/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, under Texas law, the acts of navigation districts were validated
under the Navigation Act, passed during the 74th Legislature.  Port
authorities were not included under the Navigation Act. This bill adds port
authorities to the Navigation Act, validating and confirming all acts and
governmental proceedings, officials, bonds, and obligations of port
authorities. 

S.B. 296 validates and confirms all acts and governmental proceedings,
officials, bonds, and obligations of navigation districts and port
authorities. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. DEFINITION.  Defines "district."

SECTION 2. VALIDATION.  Validates and confirms in all respects all acts and
governmental proceedings taken by a district before March 1,1999, all
commissioners or other officials of a district who took office before the
effective date of this Act, and all bonds and other obligations of a
navigation district or port authority authorized before the effective date
of this Act. 

SECTION 3.   APPLICABILITY.  Provides that SECTION 2 does not apply to an
act, proceeding, commissioner or official, bond, or obligation the validity
of which or of whom is the subject of pending litigation on the effective
date of this Act; certain acts and proceedings relating to the conveyance
by a district of any interest in real property; or an act or proceeding
that violated Section 61.117 (Limitations on Sales and Use of State Lands
and Flats), Water Code.  Establishes that this Act does not validate any
governmental acts or proceedings which were at the time of occurrence a
misdemeanor or felony.  

SECTION 4.   Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.