Bill > HB4212

This bill establishes the Texas Land, Water, and Wildlife Conservation Account and creates a new governance structure to manage conservation efforts in the state. The bill creates an eight-member conservation board composed of state agency heads and three public members appointed by top state officials, who will oversee a new account in the general revenue fund. The board's primary responsibilities include managing the account, overseeing research and funding initiatives related to habitat management, wildlife population restoration, litter prevention, and conservation practices. The account can be used to award grants for public parks, natural areas, and conservation projects, with a focus on protecting agricultural lands, wildlife habitats, water resources, and conducting wildlife studies. The board must allocate funding equally between public parks/natural areas and natural resource conservation projects, with specific priority criteria including matching funds, long-term sustainability, regional diversity, and overall ecological benefit. Grant recipients can include government entities and non-governmental organizations, but the account cannot be used for eminent domain or federal land acquisition. The board is required to submit a biennial report to the legislature detailing the benefits and economic impacts of funded projects, with the first report due by September 1, 2027, and the provisions of the bill taking effect on September 1, 2025.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4212