Senate Passes Dyess Military Land Use Regulation

Tonight the Senate passed HB 2919 by S. King (Senate Sponsor Fraser). This bill would require the "defense community" around Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene to consult with base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.

Unfortunately, HB 2919 was amended on 2nd reading with language from 2223 by Van de Putte (bracketed for Camp Bullis in San Antonio) and SB 2439 by Uresti (bracketed for Laughlin Air Force Base).

Sen. Fraser moved that rules requiring bills to be read on three separate days be suspended to allow HB 2919 to be placed on its third reading and final passage.  On its third reading, the only senators voting against the bill were Harris and Hegar.

Busy Weekend at Texas Legislature

Last Thursday, the House Defense and Veterans' Affairs Committee reported SB 2439 by Uresti favorably.  This bill would create a regional military sustainability commission for Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio.  Fortunately SB 2439 has no House Sponsor, has not yet been sent to the House Calendars Committee, and is running out of time to pass in the House.

On Sunday, the House passed SB 2534 by Wentworth (House Sponsor Corte) on second reading. This bill would create an interagency task force on economic growth and endangered species to "assist" landowners in mitigation for endangered species and "facilitate" the state and local governments' implementation of endangered species regulations. The task force's first assignment would be to create an advisory committee for the Camp Bullis area in Bexar County. Tomorrow is the last day for the House to consider Senate bills on third reading.

Yesterday the Senate passed HJR 14 by Corte (Senate Sponsor Duncan). This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment stating: "public use" does not include the taking of property by the State or a political subdivision of the State for transfer to a private entity for the primary purpose of economic development or enhancement of tax revenues.

HB 2919 by S. King (Senate Sponsor Fraser) has been on the Senate Intent Calendar since yesterday. Tomorrow is the last day for the Senate to consider any bills on the third reading. HB 2919 would require the "defense community" around Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene to consult with base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.

SB 2222 by Van de Putte (House Sponsor Corte) is on the House Supplemental Calendar for today, which is the deadline for the House to consider Senate bills on the second reading. This bill would allow a county with unincorporated area and a city with extraterritorial jurisdiction located within 5 miles of a military installation to create a “regional military sustainability commission.” The commission would establish "compatible development standards" and review new projects within 2 miles of a military installation (3 miles if created during flight training).

Senate Committee Passes Alternative to Military Land Use Regulation

Yesterday the Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations Committee voted to report HJR 132 by Corte (Senate Sponsor Wentworth) favorably.

This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to allow a city or county to issue bonds or notes to finance the acquisition of buffer areas or open spaces or the construction of roadways or infrastructure around military installations.

HJR 132 would allow cities and counties to purchase land surrounding a military installation as opposed to allowing counties to use private land as a buffer area or open space around a base through regulation without compensation as would be allowed by SB 2222 by Van de Putte (House Sponsor Corte) and SB 2223 by Van de Putte, SB 2439 by Uresti for Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio, and HB 2919 by S. King (Senate Sponsor Fraser) for Dyess Air Force Base in San Antonio.

Alternative to Military Land Use Regulation Advances

Yesterday the Senate Subcommittee on Base Realignment and Closure reported HJR 132 by Corte (Senate Sponsor Wentworth) favorably.

This resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to allow a city or county to issue bonds or notes to finance the acquisition of buffer areas or open spaces or the construction of roadways or infrastructure around military installations.

HJR 132 would allow cities and counties to purchase land surrounding a military installation as opposed to allowing counties to use private land as a buffer area or open space around a base through regulation without compensation as would be allowed by SB 2222 by Van de Putte (House Sponsor Corte) and SB 2223 by Van de Putte, SB 2439 by Uresti for Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio and HB 2919 by S. King (Senate Sponsor Fraser) for Dyess Air Force Base in San Antonio.

More Military Land Use Regulation Advances

Today the Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations Committee reported HB 2919 by S. King (Senate Sponsor Fraser) favorably.

This bill would require the "defense community" around Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene to consult with base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.

Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations Hearing Wednesday, May 20th

The Senate Veteran Affairs & Military Installations Committee has scheduled HB 2919 by S. King (Senate Sponsor Fraser) for public hearing tomorrow at 1:30 pm or upon adjournment in the Betty King Committee Room (2E.20) at the Capitol.

This bill would require the "defense community" around Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene to consult with base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.

Dyess Air Force Base Land Use Oversight Passes House

Today the House passed HB 2919 by S. King. This bill would require the "defense community" around Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene to consult with base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.

Fortunately this bill was not amended with language from HB 2056 by Gallego/SB 2439 by Uresti, HB 143 by McClendon, or SB 2222 and SB 2223 by Van de Putte. All of these bills would give counties direct land use control on private property surrounding bases.

Military Land Use Regulation Bills Await Readings on House Floor

HB 2919 by S. King has been on the General State Calendar since May 8th, and HB 2056 by Gallego has been on the General State Calendar since May 11th.

HB 2919 may come to the House Floor for its second reading later today. This bill would require a "defense community" to consult with defense base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.

HB 2056 and its companion, SB 2439 by Uresti, would allow regulation of private land surrounding Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio. The House received SB 2439 on May 11th after its passage in the Senate on May 8th.

Another Military Land Use Regulation Bill Advances

Today HB 2919 by King was placed on the General State Calendar for its second reading. This bill would require a "defense community" to consult with defense base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.

Military Base Land Use Regulation Bills Pass Committee

Today the House Defense and Veterans' Affairs Committee reported HB 2056 by Gallego and HB 2919 by King favorably as substituted.

TLC testified against HB 2056 on Wednesday, March 25th and registered against HB 2056's companion in the Senate, SB 2439 by Uresti, on Wednesday, April 8th. These bills would create a Joint Airport Zoning Board to regulate the use of private land surrounding Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio. Noncompliance would be considered a misdemeanor punishable by fines of up to $1,000 per day.

HB 2919 is co-authored by Committee Vice Chairman Vaught. This bill would require a "defense community" to consult with defense base authorities before adopting an ordinance or approving a permit for a proposed structure within 8 miles of the base.