Texas SB 1424: Relating to the continuation and functions of the State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the Texas Invasive Species Coordinating Committee.

Bill Text

S.B.ANo.A1424
AN ACT
relatingto thecontinuationandfunctionsof theStateSoiland
WaterConservationBoardandtheTexasInvasiveSpecies
CoordinatingCommittee.
BE IT ENACTEDBY THE LEGISLATUREOF THE STATEOF TEXAS:
SECTION
A1.AASection201.0142,AgricultureCode,is amended
by amendingSubsection(b)andaddingSubsection(d)to readas
follows:
(b)
AAThetrainingprogrammustprovidethepersonwith
informationregarding:
(1)
AAthelawgoverning[legislationthatcreatedthe]
stateboardoperations;
(2)
AAtheprograms,functions,rules,andbudgetof
[operatedby] the stateboard;
(3)
AAthescopeof andlimitationson therulemaking
authority[roleand functions]of the stateboard;
(4)
AA[therulesof the stateboard,withan emphasison
the rulesthatrelateto disciplinaryand investigatoryauthority;
[(5)
AAthe currentbudgetfor the stateboard;
[(6)]
AAtheresultsof themostrecentformalauditof
the stateboard;
(5)
A[(7)]AAthe requirementsof:
(A)
AAlawsrelatingto [the]openmeetings,[law,
Chapter551,GovernmentCode;
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[(B)AAthe]publicinformation,[law,Chapter552,
GovernmentCode;
[(C)
AAthe]administrativeprocedure,and
disclosingconflictsof interest[law,Chapter2001,Government
Code];and
(B)
A[(D)]AAotherlawsapplicableto membersof a
statepolicy-makingbodyin performingtheirduties[relatingto
publicofficials,includingconflict-of-interestlaws];and
(6)
A[(8)]AAanyapplicableethicspoliciesadoptedby
the stateboardor the TexasEthicsCommission.
(d)
AATheexecutivedirectorshallcreatea trainingmanual
thatincludestheinformationrequiredby Subsection(b).The
executivedirectorshalldistributea copyof the trainingmanual
annuallyto eachmemberof thestateboard.Eachmemberof the
stateboardshallsignandsubmitto theexecutivedirectora
statementacknowledgingthatthe memberreceivedand has reviewed
the trainingmanual.
SECTION
A2.AASection201.019(i),AgricultureCode,is amended
to readas follows:
(i)
AAThestateboard[agency]shalldevelopandimplement
policiesthat[which]clearlyseparatethepolicy-making
[respective]responsibilitiesof the stateboardand the management
responsibilitiesof theexecutivedirectorandthestaffof the
stateboard.
SECTION
A3.AASections201.0231(a)and (c),AgricultureCode,
are amendedto readas follows:
(a)
AAThestateboardshallmaintaina [centraldatabaseof
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S.B.
ANo.A1424
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complaintsfiledwithstateboardofficesand a] systemto promptly
and efficientlyact on complaints[a complaint]filedwiththe [a]
stateboard[office].The stateboardshallmaintaininformation
aboutpartiesto  thecomplaint,thesubjectmatterof  the
complaint,a summaryof the resultsof the reviewor investigation
of the complaint,and its disposition.
(c)
AAThe stateboardshallperiodicallynotifythe complaint
parties[tothecomplaint]of thestatusof thecomplaintuntil
finaldispositionunlessthenoticewouldjeopardizean
investigation.
SECTION
A4.AASubchapterB,  Chapter201,AgricultureCode,is
amendedby addingSection201.0226to readas follows:
Sec.
A201.0226.AADAMSTRUCTURALREPAIRGRANTPROGRAM.(a)
Thestateboardshalldevelopandimplementa programto provide
grantsfor the structuralrepairand maintenanceof floodcontrol
dams.
(b)
AAWithinputfromstakeholders,the stateboardshall:
(1)
AAestablishgoals,criteria,andmetricsforthe
grantprogram;and
(2)
AAassessthe needfor fundingthe structuralrepair
andmaintenanceof  floodcontroldamsthroughoutthisstate,
includingthe numberof projectsa grantsponsorcan completeeach
year.
(c)
AAIn adoptingrulesor policiesfor the grantprogram,the
stateboardshall:
(1)
AAensureany localmatchingfundrequirementadopted
by the stateboardaccountsfor the financialcapacityof the grant
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S.B.
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sponsor;and
(2)
AAconsiderdamsthatareclassifiedas high-hazard
by the TexasCommissionon EnvironmentalQuality.
(d)
AAThe stateboardshallensureguidancedocumentsfor the
grantprogram,includingthe10-yeardamrepair,rehabilitation,
and maintenanceplanadoptedunderSection201.0227,are consistent
withthe goals,criteria,and metricsestablishedunderSubsection
(b).
SECTION
A5.AASection201.0227,AgricultureCode,is amended
by addingSubsection(f) to readas follows:
(f)
AAThe stateboardshallconsiderthe timelinesfor grant
applicationsforthedamstructuralrepairgrantprogramunder
Section201.0226whenpreparingandadoptinga planunderthis
section.
SECTION
A6.AASection201.025,AgricultureCode,is amendedto
readas follows:
Sec.
A201.025.AASUNSETPROVISION.AATheStateSoilandWater
ConservationBoardis subjectto Chapter325,GovernmentCode
(TexasSunsetAct).Unlesscontinuedin existenceas providedby
thatchapter,thestateboardis abolished[andthischapter
expires]September1, 2035[2023].
SECTION
A7.AASection776.004,GovernmentCode,is amendedby
amendingSubsection(a)andaddingSubsection(a-1)to readas
follows:
(a)
AAThe committeeshall:
(1)
AA[serveas a catalystfor cooperationbetweenstate
agenciesin the areaof invasivespeciescontrol;
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S.B.
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