Texas House Bill HB3632

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/14/09
• Voted on by House: 4/28/09
• Out of Senate Committee: 5/11/09
• Voted on by Senate: 5/23/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Enrolled: 6/1/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to the authority of the state to acquire, sell, or exchange certain land.

Impact

One of the notable impacts of HB 3632 is its stipulation that proceeds from the sale of real property that does not need to be managed for specific purposes will be deposited into the Texas farm and ranch lands conservation fund. This provision aims to enhance funding for conservation and sustainability initiatives within the state. Additionally, the bill outlines the legal framework under which the state may accept real property from the federal government for environmental remediation purposes, promoting proactive management of contaminated sites.

Summary

House Bill 3632 amends the Natural Resources Code to enhance the authority of the state in managing real property acquired through grants, gifts, or bequests. The bill allows the commissioner to accept various forms of property on behalf of the state and provides the framework for managing, selling, or exchanging real property to ensure it is suited for its intended purpose. Significantly, the bill includes provisions for the commissioner to manage real property that is not designated for specific state agencies, thereby increasing flexibility in governmental operations regarding land management.

Contention

While the bill generally seeks to streamline state authority over real property, there could be points of contention regarding local versus state control. Critics might argue that the broad powers granted to the commissioner could undermine local governance, particularly in areas concerning environmental oversight and land use planning. Furthermore, the bill's provisions for the ease of selling or exchanging state-acquired land might raise concerns about the future use of such lands, as it could potentially conflict with local conservation efforts or public interest objectives.