SB 1648/SJR 74 (Parker) Relating to the centennial parks conservation fund
- The bill creates a $1 billion endowment – the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund
- The trust fund is a permanent endowment with a one-time investment managed by the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company for the purpose of purchasing real property for the expansion and creation of state parks
- TPWD may request to expend funds from the trust fund for acquiring real property only
- SB 1648 passed both chambers and is now heading to the Governor’s desk; the bill will be effective upon passage of its constitutional amendment
HB 3165/HJR 18 (Holland) Relating to the establishment, administration, and use of the Texas land and water conservation fund
- The bill establishes a $2 billion endowment – the Texas Land and Water Conservation Fund to managed by a governing board led by the GLO and includes members from the TECQ, TPWD, TWDB, and TSSWCB
- 50% of funds would go towards public parks and other public lands projects and the other 50% for natural resources conservation projects
- Sets out priority criteria such as long term sustainability
- Include language to ensure any land benefited from these funds is not transferred to any federal management and eminent domain is not used on any project that uses this funding
- HB 3165 passed the House, but did not get referred to committee in the Senate