BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2181
87R1002 SRA-D	By: West
	Natural Resources & Economic Development
	4/26/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Ever since the 2004 Hargreaves Plan for Fair Park was approved by the City Council, and through all the intervening updates and new plans, there has never been a solution to how to come up with the $180 to $220 million that would be required to do all the recommended renovations, restorations and enhancements needed to return this state historical treasure to its former glory. One possible mechanism for funding the enhancements would be Chapter 334 of Texas Local Government Code, also known as "The Brimer Bill."

Interested parties contend current language in Chapter 334 of the Local Government Code prohibits the financing of certain sports and community venue projects within municipally owned parks in the City of Dallas. Chapter 334 of the Local Government Code permits the use of up to two percent taxes on hotels and up to five percent on vehicle rentals to be used for "sports and community venue" projects that have been approved through a municipal election. However, 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.

S.B. 2181 amends Chapter 334 of the Local Government Code to allow the financing of certain venue projects located within Dallas's Fair Park.

The City of Dallas is in support of the current legislation and we have not heard about who may be opposed.

As proposed, S.B. 2181 amends current law relating to the financing of certain sports and community venue projects.

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 Section 334.008(c), Local Government Code, as follows:

(c) Provides that, to the extent that a provision of Chapter 334 (Sports and Community Venues), including Section 334.024(f) (relating to requiring a proposition for a venue project that adds or affects a park or recreation facility to include certain information), rather than Sections 334.024(f), 334.1015 (Application), and 334.2515, applies to a venue project that is a municipal parks and recreation system or facility, the provision applies to a venue project authorized by Section 334.008 (Parks and Recreation System as Venue Project: Certain Counties), and references to a municipality are considered references to a county to which this section applies. Makes a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 334.2515, Local Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 334.2515. APPLICATION. Deletes existing text providing that, except as provided by Section 334.2516 (Use of Revenue by Certain Municipalities for Certain Purposes), Subchapter H (Hotel Occupancy Taxes) does not apply to the financing of a venue project that is an area or facility that is part of a municipal parks and recreation system as described by Section 334.001(4)(D) (relating to defining "venue" to include municipal parks and recreation systems). Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3. Repealer: Section 334.1015 (Application), Local Government Code.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2021.