Relating to the powers and duties of navigation districts, port authorities, and boards of trustees of municipal port facilities.
Impact
One of the core impacts of HB 1395 is the adjustment of processes surrounding leases and sales of real property held by navigation districts. The legislation imposes new publication requirements for notices related to oil, gas, and mineral leases, extending bidding and publication durations to ensure a more competitive and transparent leasing process. Additionally, it facilitates navigation districts to engage in contracts with improved flexibility, such as defining selection criteria for contractor proposals, which could lead to better project outcomes and local economic growth.
Summary
House Bill 1395 seeks to amend existing provisions regarding navigation districts, port authorities, and municipal port facilities within the state of Texas. The bill revises sections of the Government Code and Water Code, significantly updating the powers related to governance, reporting requirements, and real property management. Specifically, it allows governing bodies of navigation districts to discuss certain community interest items during meetings without prior notice, provided no action is taken, which could foster more openness in local governance.
Contention
Notably, there may be contention surrounding the governance changes, particularly in how these provisions may affect local control over navigation and port facilities. Local governments may express concerns that increased powers for navigation districts could undermine municipal authority in managing local waterways and ports. This bill could also unleash debates on environmental regulation related to the use of waterways for economic activity, particularly if mineral extraction activities increase in navigation districts previously untapped for such purposes.
Relating to the powers and duties of Port Freeport; limiting the authority of certain municipalities to regulate land use by Port Freeport; and the creation of a reinvestment zone containing property owned by Port Freeport.
Relating to the powers and duties of the Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 147; providing authority to issue bonds and impose fees and taxes.
Relating to the powers, authorities, duties, and responsibilities of certain conservation and reclamation districts and to notice a person who proposes to sell or convey real property located in any of certain conservation and reclamation districts must provide to a prospective purchaser of that property.