HBA-MSH, CBW H.B. 266 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 266
By: Ellis, Dan
Land & Resource Management
7/18/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 77th Legislature, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
(TDCJ) owned a 345.58 acre tract of primarily undeveloped property located
on the northwest corner of FM Road 980 and State Highway 19, which had an
appraised value of $640,000.  This property was used for gravel excavation
and as a recreational area for TDCJ personnel.  Located on the property are
cabins,  restroom facilities, a well house, a fish cleaning shack, and a
pavilion, all of which comprise the former TDCJ recreational campground
area.  Also, there is an existing state archeological landmark located on
the premises that occupies approximately 17 acres of the tract. Currently,
none of the buildings are in use and most are in need of repair.  

TDCJ has expressed that the conveyance of the land would have no adverse
impact on TDCJ.  Sam Houston State University (SHSU) requested the
conveyance of the acreage for the purpose of operating off-campus
facilities to be used by SHSU staff and students for environmental studies,
educational development, and ROTC military science and training, as well as
social and cultural events.  House Bill 266 conveys the designated property
to SHSU and requires SHSU to use the property for governmental purposes. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 266 requires the Texas Board of Criminal Justice (board) to
convey to the Board of Regents of the Texas State University System certain
designated real property for use by Sam Houston State University not later
than January 31, 2002. The bill requires the board  to convey the property
by deed without warranty regarding covenants of title. The bill provides
that the deed must include a provision that requires Sam Houston State
University to use the property for a governmental purpose and indicates
that if Sam Houston State University fails to use the property for a
governmental purpose, title to the property will automatically revert to
the board. The bill requires the board to retain custody of the deed after
the deed is filed in the real property records of Walker County. The bill
provides a description of the real property to be transferred. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 14, 2001.