SB 795

relating to creation of the gulf coast protection account to be
administered by the General Land Office.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter C, Chapter 31, Natural Resources
Code, is amended by adding Section 31.070 to read as follows:
Sec. 31.070.  GULF COAST PROTECTION ACCOUNT.  (a)  The gulf
coast protection account is a dedicated account in the general
revenue fund administered by the land office under this section and
rules adopted by the land office.
(b)  The gulf coast protection account consists of:
(1)  money from gifts, donations, and grants; and
(2)  money appropriated, credited, or transferred to
the account by the legislature.
(c)  Money in the gulf coast protection account may be used
only to pay for expenditures that:
(1)  are necessary to fulfill nonfederal sponsor
obligations under agreements with the United States Army Corps of
Engineers for implementing projects included in the plan
recommended by the Coastal Texas Protection and Restoration
Feasibility Study Final Report and Final Environmental Impact
Statement dated August 2021 issued by the Galveston District,
Southwestern Division, of the United States Army Corps of Engineers
(2)  comply with the terms of a local cooperation
agreement executed by the land office and the Gulf Coast Protection
District established under Chapter 9502, Special District Local
(A)  are necessary or useful for the protection of
the portion of the gulf coast located within the territory of the
(B)  would benefit the district and are designated
as Coastal Storm Risk Management Projects within the Coastal Texas
(d)  The legislature finds that the expenditure of money in
the gulf coast protection account in accordance with Subsection (c)
(e)  The expenditure of money in the gulf coast protection
account is subject to audit by the state auditor.
SECTION 2.  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, 2025.