Bill: SB 1870, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
Senate Natural Resources & Economic Development
Vote Recommendation
| Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
| No |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Negative |
Negative |
Neutral |
Author(s)
Judith Zaffirini
Bill Caption
Relating to county prohibition of the possession of glass containers within the boundaries of a state-owned riverbed; creating an offense.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
Under current law, in one bracketed county a person commits an offense if they possess a glass container within the boundaries of a state-owned riverbed. SB 1870 would allow any county in the state to prohibit the possession of a glass container within the boundaries of a state-owned riverbed in the county. A violation would be a Class C misdemeanor.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This bill violates the principles of limited government and personal responsibility by allowing any county to regulate the possession of glass containers near a public riverbed. It is not the role of government to micromanage the possession of glass containers on land made available for the public. Behaviors which damage land or impair the rights of others (such as littering a glass container) do fall within the purview of state authority, but mere possession should not constitute cause for an offense. For these reasons, we oppose SB 1870.
Organizations Supporting
Texas Campaign for the Environment
Texas Conference of Urban Counties
