S.B. No. 345
AN ACT
relating to the use of land in the William Goodrich Jones State
Forest.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 88, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 88.1085 to read as follows:
Sec. 88.1085. USE OF LAND IN WILLIAM GOODRICH JONES STATE
FOREST. (a) For the purpose of this section, the "Jones State
Forest" means the real property owned by the state for the use and
benefit of The Texas A&M University System to demonstrate
reforestation work and forest management work under the Texas A&M
Forest Service, consisting of approximately 1,722 acres in
Montgomery County, and formally dedicated and named the William
Goodrich Jones State Forest.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the entire
territory of the Jones State Forest must remain natural, scenic,
undeveloped, and open in a manner that maintains the tree canopy
cover of the forest. No statute, rule, policy, or ordinance may be
enforced with respect to the territory of the Jones State Forest,
other than a statute, rule, policy, or ordinance that protects and
conserves the natural resources, air quality, or water quality of
the Jones State Forest.
(c) This section does not preclude the Texas Department of
Transportation, for the current operation or future expansion of
Farm-to-Market Road 1488, from:
(1) using an easement that is owned by the state for
the benefit of the department for a highway purpose; or
(2) acquiring an additional interest in real property.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 345 passed the Senate on
March 27, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that
the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 24, 2019, by the
following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 345 passed the House, with
amendment, on May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 118,
Nays 26, two present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor