BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3023
	By: King, Ken et al. (Birdwell)
	Natural Resources & Economic Development
	5/12/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Major Events Reimbursement Program (MERP) is one of three funds comprising the Event Trust Funds program in the Economic Development & Tourism Office within the Office of the Governor. The funds are targeted at attracting various types of events to the State of Texas, and can assist Texas communities with paying costs related to preparing for or conducting an event by depositing projected gains in various local and state taxes generated from the event in a dedicated event-specific trust fund to cover allowable expenses.

H.B. 3023 seeks to add the following events to the MERP: The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex, the Professional Bull Riders World Finals, the LPGA Championship, PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, and the SXSW Conference and Festivals. In addition, the name of the F1 race at Circuit of the Americas that is in current statute is clarified as the Formula One United States Grand Prix.

H.B. 3023 amends current law relating to the eligibility of certain events for funding under the Major Events Reimbursement Program.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 478.0001(3) and (7), Government Code, as effective April 1, 2021, as follows:

(3) Redefines "event" for purposes of Chapter 478 (Major Events Reimbursement Program) to include the Formula One United States Grand Prix, rather than a Formula One automobile race, the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Championship tournament, the National Hot Rod Association Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex, the Professional Bull Riders World Finals, the Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Championship, the Ryder Cup, the Senior Professional Golfers' Association (PGA) Championship, and the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

(7) Redefines "site selection organization" for purposes of Chapter 478 to include the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), the National Hot Rod Association, Professional Bull Riders, LLC, the Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA), and South by Southwest. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 478.0053, Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 478.0053. New heading: EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT FOR CERTAIN EVENTS. Provides that Section 478.0051(b)(1) (relating to authorizing funding for certain events) does not apply to an event described by Section 478.0001(3)(H) (relating to the largest event held each year at a sports entertainment venue in this state with a permanent seating capacity, including grandstand and premium seating, of at least 125,000) or (BB) (relating to the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals), rather than an event described by Section 478.0001(3)(G) (relating to the largest event held each year at a sports entertainment venue in this state with a permanent seating capacity, including grandstand and premium seating, of at least 125,000). Makes a conforming change

SECTION 3. Provides that to the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes.

SECTION 4.� Effective date: September 1, 2021.