CHAPTER 307. USE OF TIDELANDS FOR PARK PURPOSES: GULF COAST MUNICIPALITIES WITH POPULATION OF 60,000 OR MORE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE
TITLE 10. PARKS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
SUBTITLE A. MUNICIPAL PARKS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL
RESOURCES
CHAPTER 307. USE OF TIDELANDS FOR PARK PURPOSES: GULF COAST
MUNICIPALITIES WITH POPULATION OF 60,000 OR MORE
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 307.001. ELIGIBLE MUNICIPALITIES. A municipality that
borders on the Gulf of Mexico and has a population of 50,000 or
more may use and occupy for park purposes gulf tidelands and
adjacent water as provided by this chapter.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 598, Sec. 1, eff. June 11,
2001.
Sec. 307.002. PROPERTY SUBJECT TO PARK USE. (a) The
municipality may use and occupy for park purposes under this
chapter:
(1) the tidelands between:
(A) the lines of ordinary high tide and ordinary low tide of the
Gulf of Mexico; and
(B) extensions into the gulf, not more than 1,000 feet apart, of
property lines of property that is above and fronting the
tidelands and is owned or acquired by the municipality for park
purposes or in or to which the municipality has or may acquire
easements or other rights or privileges authorizing the
municipality to use or occupy the property for park purposes; and
(2) the waters of the gulf adjacent to those tidelands, and the
gulf bed below those waters, for a distance not to exceed 2,000
feet from the line of ordinary high tide.
(b) The municipality may declare abandoned for use as streets or
highways and may take, use, and occupy for park purposes all or
part of any land previously dedicated as a public street or
highway that, because of submersion by the waters of the gulf or
the building of a seawall, breakwater, or other structure, has
become unfit for use as a street or highway, as determined and
declared by the governing body of the municipality.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 307.003. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "park land" means
the land to which the municipality is granted use and occupancy
for park purposes by this chapter.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 307.004. RIGHTS UNAFFECTED. (a) This chapter does not
authorize the taking of any private property or interest without
compensation as required by the Texas Constitution.
(b) The State of Texas retains all of the oil, gas, and other
mineral rights in and under the park land owned by the state.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 307.005. ADDITIONAL POWERS. The powers granted a
municipality by this chapter are in addition to any other power
conferred by law.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
SUBCHAPTER B. MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF PARK LAND
Sec. 307.021. MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF PARK; PIER. (a)
The governing body of a municipality is entitled to manage and
control the park land for park purposes as provided by this
chapter.
(b) The governing body may acquire, erect, construct, repair,
enlarge, extend, improve, remodel, furnish, equip, operate, and
maintain on the park land not more than one pier extending from
the shore and other structures on the pier to provide facilities
for recreation, amusement, comfort, assemblies, and lodging of
the public.
(c) The pier may not:
(1) extend into the gulf for a distance of more than 2,000 feet
from the line of ordinary high tide;
(2) extend into any part of a channel deepened or improved for
commercial navigation or between the shoreline and any such
channel; or
(3) extend into any arm, inlet, bay, or body of water other than
the main body of the Gulf of Mexico.
(d) The governing body may determine the suitability of
structures or facilities to be provided on the pier and may allow
for the erection, provision, operation, and maintenance of any
structure or facility for the convenience and comfort of the
public, including one or more of the following:
(1) theaters;
(2) restaurants;
(3) accommodations for overnight and transient guests;
(4) convention halls;
(5) dance halls;
(6) aquariums;
(7) exhibition halls;
(8) stadiums for aquatic or other sports;
(9) concession and amusement device stands or platforms;
(10) fishing platforms;
(11) walkways;
(12) restrooms, toilet facilities, and resting places; and
(13) any other structure or facility reasonably adapted and
suitable for park purposes on or in connection with the pier.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 307.022. ACQUISITION OF PRIVATE LANDS FOR PARK. The
municipality may acquire by gift or purchase any interest in
privately owned land within the limits of the municipality for
use for park purposes in connection with the pier as the
governing body of the municipality determines is necessary.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 307.023. LEASES AND OPERATING AGREEMENTS. (a) The
governing body of the municipality may enter into any contract in
connection with the pier and its facilities on terms it considers
to be in the best interest of the municipality, including:
(1) a lease under which all or part of the pier is leased to one
or more other parties; and
(2) an operating contract under which all or part of the pier is
to be operated by one or more other parties.
(b) A lease or operating contract must be authorized by
ordinance or resolution adopted by the governing body and may
cover any term of years not to exceed 40 years from the date of
the lease or contract.
(c) All or part of the proceeds derived by the municipality from
a lease or operating contract may be pledged to the payment of
revenue bonds issued by the municipality under Subchapter C.
(d) A lease may authorize the lessee to acquire or construct
improvements or facilities and may provide for the transfer of
the improvements or facilities to the municipality at the
termination of the lease.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
SUBCHAPTER C. FINANCING
Sec. 307.041. TAX BONDS. (a) For the purpose of paying for all
or part of the costs of acquiring privately owned land under
Section 307.022 or the costs of constructing, furnishing, and
equipping the pier or another structure connected with the pier,
the municipality may borrow money, issue negotiable bonds, and
levy and collect ad valorem taxes sufficient to pay the interest
on and provide a sinking fund for the bonds.
(b) The bonds shall be issued in accordance with Subtitles A and
C, Title 9, Government Code. If bonds for the purposes described
by this section have been authorized at a previous election in
accordance with that chapter, the bonds may be issued without an
additional election.
(c) The governing body of the municipality may use bond proceeds
to pay part of the cost of erecting, constructing, furnishing, or
equipping a structure or improvement authorized by this chapter
that, together with the interest in the land occupied by or used
in connection with the structure or improvement and the income
from the structure or improvement, is to be or has been mortgaged
and encumbered for the purpose of paying the additional costs of
acquiring, erecting, constructing, furnishing, or equipping the
structure or improvement.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 8.313, eff. Sept.
1, 2001.
Sec. 307.042. REVENUE OBLIGATIONS. (a) For the purpose of
obtaining funds for any purpose authorized by this chapter, the
governing body of the municipality may from time to time issue
bonds, notes, or warrants secured by a pledge of and payable from
the net revenues derived from the operation of all or a
designated part of the pier, structures, or improvements.
(b) As additional security for the bonds, notes, or warrants,
the municipality may mortgage and encumber all or a designated
part of:
(1) the pier, structures, or improvements;
(2) the furnishings and equipment; or
(3) the interest, easement, or other rights in land acquired or
to be acquired and used in connection with the park land,
including the right of use and occupancy of the park land and the
title or rights to the tidelands, waters, or beds of the Gulf of
Mexico acquired by the municipality.
(c) As additional security for the bonds, notes, or warrants,
the municipality may, by the terms of a mortgage, grant to the
purchaser under sale or foreclosure a franchise to operate the
properties purchased for a period of not more than 99 years after
the purchase. If at the time of the sale or foreclosure there is
a pier, structure, or improvement located in whole or in part on
or over state-owned tideland, water, and bed of the Gulf of
Mexico, during that period of 99 years the purchaser and the
purchaser's heirs, successors, and assigns have the same right of
use and occupancy to the state-owned tideland, water, and bed as
is granted to the municipality under this chapter. On termination
of that period or on cessation of use of the property for that
purpose, the right of use and occupancy reverts to the
municipality.
(d) The municipality may issue bonds, notes, and warrants and
mortgage and encumber property under this section whether all or
part of the cost is to be paid from:
(1) bonds, notes, and warrants issued under this section;
(2) bonds or warrants issued under Section 307.041 or 307.046;
(3) funds obtained from any other lawful source; or
(4) a combination of those sources.
(e) The municipality may sell the property described by
Subsection (b) if no bonded indebtedness remains outstanding. If
the municipality sells the property, the General Land Office may
grant to the purchaser a lease of the state-owned tideland,
water, and bed beneath the property or, if necessary, a larger
area for a period of not more than 99 years after the purchase.
The purchaser and the purchaser's heirs, successors, and assigns
have the same right of use and occupancy to the state-owned
tideland, water, and bed as is granted to the municipality under
this chapter. On termination of that period or on cessation of
use of the property for that purpose, the right of use and
occupancy reverts to the municipality.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 598, Sec. 2, eff. June 11,
2001.
Sec. 307.043. ISSUANCE OF REVENUE OBLIGATIONS. (a) This
section applies to the bonds and other obligations issued under
Section 307.042.
(b) The bonds shall be made payable to the bearer or to the
order of a named payee. The bonds are payable solely from the
pledged revenues and, at the option of the municipality, secured
by the mortgage and franchise authorized by Section 307.042.
(c) The bonds shall bear interest at a rate not to exceed the
maximum net effective interest rate provided by Chapter 1204,
Government Code.
(d) The bonds must mature serially or otherwise not more than 40
years after the date of issuance. The governing body of the
municipality shall determine:
(1) the denominations of the bonds;
(2) one or more places at which the bonds are payable as to
interest or principal, which may be any bank inside or outside
this state;
(3) the medium for payment of the bonds;
(4) the manner in which interest on the bonds is payable;
(5) any provisions for redemption of the bonds before maturity;
and
(6) the form of the bonds.
(e) A bond or interest coupon bearing the signature or facsimile
signature of an official of the municipality who was authorized
to sign the bond or coupon at the time of the signature is not
invalid because of the official's ceasing to hold the office
before delivery of the bonds or not having held office on the
date of the bonds.
(f) The governing body may provide for the bonds to be
registrable as to principal and interest, or as to principal
only, under the terms prescribed by the governing body. The bonds
may be issued not subject to registration.
(g) The bonds may be executed in the manner set forth in the
proceedings authorizing their issuance, and those proceedings may
provide that the bonds or coupons, or both, shall be executed by
facsimile signatures and that a facsimile seal of the
municipality be printed on the bonds.
(h) In the proceedings authorizing the issuance of the bonds,
the governing body may prohibit the further issuance of bonds
payable from the pledged revenues or may reserve the right to
issue additional bonds to be secured by a pledge of and payable
from those net revenues on a parity with or subordinate to the
lien and pledge in support of the bonds being issued, subject to
any conditions as set forth in the proceedings.
(i) If a bond recites that it is secured partially or otherwise
by a pledge of the proceeds of one or more contracts made between
the municipality and one or more other parties, including a lease
or operating contract, a copy of the contracts and the
proceedings authorizing the contracts shall be submitted to the
attorney general. Approval of the bonds by the attorney general
constitutes approval of the contracts, which makes the contracts
incontestable except for forgery or fraud.
(j) A bond or other obligation is not a debt of the
municipality, but is solely a charge on the income and properties
encumbered. The obligation may not be considered in determining
the power of the municipality to issue bonds for a purpose
authorized by law. Each obligation must contain substantially the
following clause: "The holder hereof shall never have the right
to demand payment of this obligation out of any funds raised or
to be raised by taxation."
(k) The nature of the pledge of income and encumbrance of
properties to secure the obligations and the control, management,
and operation of the properties while any of the obligations
remain unpaid is subject to and governed by Chapter 1502,
Government Code, in the same manner as parks described in Section
1502.051. The issuance of the bonds does not require an election.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 8.314, eff. Sept.
1, 2001.
Sec. 307.044. REFUNDING REVENUE BONDS. (a) The governing body
of the municipality may provide by ordinance for the issuance of
revenue refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding outstanding
revenue bonds and any accrued interest, interest on past due
principal, interest on past due interest, and court judgments
pertaining to past due principal and interest.
(b) The issuance of refunding bonds, the maturity dates and
other details of the bonds, the rights of bond holders, and the
duties and powers of the municipality in regard to the bonds are
governed by the provisions of this chapter relating to original
revenue bonds to the extent those provisions can be made
applicable.
(c) Refunding bonds may bear interest at a rate higher than that
borne by the underlying bonds, but may not exceed the maximum net
effective interest rate applicable to those bonds.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 307.045. BONDS AS NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS AND AUTHORIZED
INVESTMENTS. (a) All bonds issued under this chapter are
negotiable instruments under Chapter 3, Business & Commerce
Code.
(b) The bonds are legal investments for banks, savings banks,
trust companies, savings and loan associations, insurance
companies, fiduciaries, trustees, and guardians, and for the
sinking funds of municipalities, counties, school districts, and
other political corporations or political subdivisions of the
state.
(c) The bonds are eligible to secure the deposit of any public
funds of the state or of a municipality, county, school district,
or other political corporation or political subdivision of the
state. The bonds are sufficient security for the deposits to the
extent of their face value when accompanied by all unmatured
appurtenant interest coupons.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.
Sec. 307.046. ADDITIONAL TAX; TIME WARRANTS. (a) In addition
to the taxes authorized for the payment of principal of and
interest on bonds, the governing body of the municipality may
levy and collect an annual ad valorem tax for the purpose of:
(1) defraying in part the cost of acquiring, building,
constructing, erecting, furnishing, or equipping the pier or a
structure or improvement, or the cost of any interest in land in
connection with the pier, structure, or improvement; or
(2) repairing, enlarging, extending, altering, or improving the
pier or a structure or improvement.
(b) The governing body may issue interest-bearing time warrants,
payable from the taxes authorized by this section, and expend the
proceeds for the same purposes for which the taxes may be levied.
Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 149, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987.