86R3691 SLB-F
By: Nevárez H.B. No. 329
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to concurrent state and federal jurisdiction over units of
the national park system in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter A, Chapter 23, Parks
and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER A. BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK; RIO GRANDE WILD AND SCENIC
RIVER
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 23, Parks and Wildlife
Code, is amended by adding Sections 23.0011 and 23.003 to read as
follows:
Sec. 23.0011. CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS OF PARK RESIDENTS.
(a) The civil and political rights of a person who resides inside
the boundaries of Big Bend National Park or the Rio Grande Wild and
Scenic River are preserved and are not impaired by the operation of
concurrent jurisdiction under Sections 23.003 and 23.051.
(b) This section expires September 1, 2020, unless the
governor has received written acceptance of concurrent
jurisdiction under Section 23.051 by that date.
Sec. 23.003. RETROCESSION OF CONCURRENT JURISDICTION. (a)
Simultaneously with the cession of concurrent jurisdiction under
Section 23.051, the governor, on behalf of the state, shall accept
from an authorized official of the National Park Service, United
States Department of the Interior, a retrocession of concurrent
jurisdiction over territory that is:
(1) under exclusive federal jurisdiction; and
(2) in:
(A) Big Bend National Park; or
(B) the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River.
(b) This section expires September 1, 2020, unless the
governor has received written acceptance of concurrent
jurisdiction under Section 23.051 by that date.
SECTION 3. Chapter 23, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter E to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER E. JURISDICTION
Sec. 23.051. CESSION OF CONCURRENT JURISDICTION. (a) The
governor, on behalf of the state, shall cede to the United States
concurrent jurisdiction over territory that:
(1) is owned by the United States within the
boundaries of any unit of the national park system in this state;
and
(2) is or would be, if not for this cession, under
proprietorial federal jurisdiction.
(b) The cession of jurisdiction takes effect when an
authorized official of the National Park Service, United States
Department of the Interior, accepts it in writing.
(c) Not later than the 21st day after the written acceptance
is received in the governor's office, the governor shall provide a
copy of the acceptance to the secretary of state. The secretary of
state shall publish the acceptance in the Texas Register.
SECTION 4. (a) Not later than October 1, 2019, the governor
shall send a copy of this Act to an authorized official of the
National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior, to
request consideration and acceptance of the changes in jurisdiction
proposed in this Act.
(b) If the governor receives written confirmation from an
authorized official of the National Park Service, United States
Department of the Interior, that the National Park Service accepts
the changes in jurisdiction made by this Act, the governor shall
implement Section 23.051(c), Parks and Wildlife Code, as added by
this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2019.