The Laws of Texas, 1921 [Volume 21] Page: 61 of 1,670

GENERAL LAWS. 53
AUTHORIZING CERTAIN NAVIGATION DISTRICTS TO OPERATE
AND DEVELOP ALL FACILITIES INCIDENT
TO THE OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
OF A PORIT.
S. B. No. 93.] CHAPTER 30.
An Act authorizing the navigation districts created for the development of
deep water navigation containing municipalities of one hundred thousand
population or more to acquire, purchase, take over, construct, maintain,
operate, develop, and regulate wharves, docks, warehouses, grain elevators,
bunkering facilities, belt railroads, floating plants, lighterage, lands,
towing facilities and other facilities or aids incident to the operation and
development of a port, ports, waterways and the navigation district, and
to issue bonds bearing interest for such purposes, as herein or by existing
laws are provided; prescribing the method of an election to provide
such powers; providing for a hearing upon petition for said election; providing
for notice of said election, the manner of conducting said election,
and the manner of making election returns and declaring the result of said
election; prescribing qualifications of voters at said election; giving navigation
districts the fullest powers consistent with the Constitution of
this State for the regulation of wharfage and other facilities pertaining to
said district, including the right to assess and collect charges for the use
of said facilities; granting navigation districts the right of eminent domain,
and the right to take over, acquire, and lease facilities, railroads,
lands, wharves, buildings and other improvements already constructed by
any incorporated municipality, and lease or condemn unimproved lands,
upon terms and conditions herein set forth and limiting its powers; prescribing
the method of appointment of five Navigation and Canal Commissioners
to manage said district; providing their term of office, qualification
and duties; giving navigation districts the power to grant franchises
to persons or corporations on property owned or controlled by navigation
districts; prescribing the method of granting said franchises; prescribing
that a referendum may be had upon said proposed franchises,
and prescribing the manner and method of initiating and holding such
referendum and the effect thereof; giving districts authority to employ
the necessary help for the purposes of said Act; prescribing the method of
letting contracts and handling funds; prescribing personnel of navigation
board; giving to navigation district all power conferred by title 96 Revised
Statutes of Texas of 1911; providing that unconstitutionality of part of law
does not invalidate remainder; prescribing that all laws or parts of laws
in conflict herewith are repealed; that nothing herein shall repeal or affect
the "powers, ordinances or rights" of Municipalities in Navigation Districts,
not inconsistent herewith, and declaring an emergency.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas:
SECTION 1. Navigation Districts provided for in Title 96, of the
Revised Statutes of the State of Texas, 1911, which have been or may
be created for the development of deep water navigation, having a
municipality containing or hereafter containing one hundred thousand
population or more as determined by the last preceding census,
are, hereby granted, in addition to the powers already conferred
by Title 96 of the Revised Statutes of Texas of 1911, the right, power
and authority to acquire, purchase, take over, construct, maintain,
operate, develop and regulate wharves, docks, warehouses, grain
elevators, bunkering facilities, belt railroads. floating plants, liihterage,
lands, towing facilities, and any and all