84R4612 JAM-F
By: Faircloth, Thompson of Brazoria, H.B. No. 1687
Deshotel, Hunter, Thompson of Harris,
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study of the feasibility and desirability of creating
and maintaining a coastal barrier system.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. (a) The legislature shall establish a joint
interim committee to continue to study the feasibility and
desirability of creating and maintaining a coastal barrier system
in this state that includes a series of gates and barriers to
prevent storm surge damage to gulf beaches or coastal ports,
industry, or property.
(b) The committee is composed of:
(1) the members of the standing committee of the
senate that has primary jurisdiction over natural resources;
(2) the members of the standing committee of the house
of representatives that has primary jurisdiction over land and
resource management;
(3) two members of the senate appointed by the
lieutenant governor, each of whom represents a district in a county
that borders the Gulf of Mexico; and
(4) two members of the house of representatives
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, each of
whom represents a district in a county that borders the Gulf of
Mexico.
(c) The lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of
representatives shall jointly designate a chair or, alternatively,
designate two co-chairs from among the committee membership.
(d) The committee may adopt rules necessary to carry out the
committee's duties under this section.
(e) Not later than December 1, 2016, the committee shall
report to the governor and the legislature the findings of the study
and any recommendations developed by the committee under this
section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.