Texas Senate Bill SB835

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/6/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/17/09
• Out of House Committee: 5/11/09
• Voted on by House: 5/26/09
• Governor Action: 6/19/09
• Passed: 6/19/09

Caption

Relating to powers of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority of Nueces County, Texas, pertaining to land in and adjacent to Naval Station Ingleside.

Impact

The bill allows the Port Authority to engage in a wide range of development activities meant to replace and enhance economic benefits lost with the closure of the military base. By enabling leasing or sale of surplus property without mandatory public bidding, the bill aims to expedite the development processes and attract investments that could lead to job creation and economic growth in the region. The adjustments introduced by this bill are expected to stimulate local economic activities and provide diverse employment opportunities.

Summary

Senate Bill 835 aims to enhance the powers of the Port of Corpus Christi Authority of Nueces County, particularly concerning land in and adjacent to Naval Station Ingleside. The bill modifies existing legislative provisions to allow the port authority greater flexibility in managing and utilizing roughly 577 acres of land that will revert to them following the closure of the Naval Station. This includes the authority to repurpose the land to foster economic activities such as manufacturing, housing, recreation, and infrastructure development.

Contention

While the bill is largely positioned as a means to develop the economic potential of land previously utilized for military purposes, there are concerns regarding the expedited process of property disposal without public bidding. Critics may argue that this could lead to potential mismanagement or favoritism in how surplus properties are allocated, posing risks to public accountability. The balance between rapid economic development and ensuring equitable management of public resources is a notable point of contention surrounding SB835.