Who has the authority to grant soil under tidal waters in Texas?

In Texas, the authority to grant soil under tidal waters is vested in the State Legislature. This is rooted in the state's constitution and statutory laws, which delineate the process through which public lands, including those under tidal waters, are managed and vested in the state for public use and benefit. The Texas Legislature has the power to enact laws that regulate the leasing and granting of land under tidal waters.

The concept stems from the public trust doctrine, which holds that certain natural resources, like tidal waters and the land beneath them, are held in trust by the state for public use. The legislature, as the elected body that represents the interests of the public, is responsible for establishing the framework and rules regarding the use and management of these resources.

While the Governor has executive functions, the authority to manage land grants falls to the legislative body, which is designed to reflect the collective will of the people. The Texas Constitution outlines the framework for governance, but it is through legislative action that specific policies and regulations regarding tidal waters are implemented. Similarly, the Texas Supreme Court interprets laws and has the authority to adjudicate questions of law but does not have the role of granting land under tidal waters. Thus, the State Legislature is the correct answer in this context.