BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 2181

By: West

International Relations & Economic Development

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Since the 2004 Hargreaves Plan for Fair Park was approved by the Dallas City Council, and during the intervening updates and new plans, there has never been a solution to how to obtain the $180 million to $220 million that would be required for all the recommended renovations, restorations, and enhancements needed to return this state historical treasure to its former glory. It has been noted that the financing of certain sports and community venue projects within municipally owned parks in the City of Dallas may be prohibited. While the use of up to two percent taxes on hotels and up to five percent on vehicle rentals may be used for sports and community venue projects that have been approved through a municipal election, the financing of a venue project that is in an area or facility that is part of a municipal park and recreation system does not qualify. C.S.S.B. 2181 seeks to provide the necessary financing by authorizing a municipality that has a population of more than 1 million but less than 1.3 million to acquire, construct, and improve certain venue projects if the applicable type of facility is specifically listed in the ballot proposition for a venue project for the expansion of an existing convention center facility.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 2181 amends the Local Government Code to authorize a municipality that has a population of more than 1 million but less than 1.3 million to acquire, construct, and improve a venue project that is an amphitheater, arena, exhibit hall, music hall, or stadium located within a municipally owned park that is at least 100 acres in size and all or part of which is designated as a national historic landmark district, if the applicable type of facility is specifically listed in the ballot proposition for a venue project for the expansion of an existing convention center facility that primarily hosts conventions and has at least one million square feet of meeting space. An applicable municipality may not spend more than 20 percent of the revenue from the convention center facility expansion venue project for costs related to such an amphitheater, arena, exhibit hall, music hall, or stadium located within a municipally owned park.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.

COMPARISON OF SENATE ENGROSSED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.S.B. 2181 may differ from the engrossed in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the engrossed and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute does not include an authorization, which was included in the engrossed, for an applicable municipality to equip an applicable venue project.