BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1746 89R8873 SCR-F By: Creighton Transportation 3/20/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.B. 1746 will expand the authority of Texas navigation districts and port authorities by allowing them to relocate or dispose of dredged materials from established disposal sites. The districts can exercise eminent domain or police power for this purpose, provided they cover all costs and account for any net salvage value. This change is intended to facilitate the beneficial use of dredged materials during projects that require dredging through existing disposal sites. Overall, this bill provides navigation districts with the tools necessary to manage dredged materials, ensuring they can maintain operational efficiency while promoting environmentally sound practices through beneficial reuse. As proposed, S.B. 1746 amends current law relating to the relocation or removal of dredged spoils or materials by a navigation district. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 60, Water Code, as follows: Sec. 60.1021. RELOCATION OR REMOVAL OF DREDGED SPOILS OR MATERIALS. (a) Requires a navigation district, if the district requires the relocation or removal of dredged spoils or materials in an exercise of the district's powers under Subchapter E (Powers of Districts for Improvement of Port Facilities), the district's power of eminent domain, or the district's police power, to pay at the district's sole expense the cost of relocating or removing dredged spoils or materials or relocate or remove the dredged spoils or materials. (b) Defines "sole expense." SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1746
89R8873 SCR-F By: Creighton
Transportation
3/20/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1746
89R8873 SCR-F
By: Creighton
Transportation
3/20/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 1746 will expand the authority of Texas navigation districts and port authorities by allowing them to relocate or dispose of dredged materials from established disposal sites. The districts can exercise eminent domain or police power for this purpose, provided they cover all costs and account for any net salvage value. This change is intended to facilitate the beneficial use of dredged materials during projects that require dredging through existing disposal sites.
Overall, this bill provides navigation districts with the tools necessary to manage dredged materials, ensuring they can maintain operational efficiency while promoting environmentally sound practices through beneficial reuse.
As proposed, S.B. 1746 amends current law relating to the relocation or removal of dredged spoils or materials by a navigation district.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 60, Water Code, as follows:
Sec. 60.1021. RELOCATION OR REMOVAL OF DREDGED SPOILS OR MATERIALS. (a) Requires a navigation district, if the district requires the relocation or removal of dredged spoils or materials in an exercise of the district's powers under Subchapter E (Powers of Districts for Improvement of Port Facilities), the district's power of eminent domain, or the district's police power, to pay at the district's sole expense the cost of relocating or removing dredged spoils or materials or relocate or remove the dredged spoils or materials.
(b) Defines "sole expense."
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.