BWH C.S.H.B. 2335 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS COUNTY AFFAIRS C.S.H.B. 2335 By: Smith 4-16-97 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND Through the creation of the Crime Control and Prevention District Act, passed by the 71st Legislature, certain counties and municipalities within the state have been empowered to raise revenue via a local sales tax which can be used to fund crime prevention measures. Since its creation, seven cities in the Tarrant County area have elected to use this crime fighting mechanism. According to the current law, any municipality or county which has created a Crime Control District must hold a public referendum every five years in order to continue it. The current statute does not give local government any discretion to vary from the five year sunset provision. This has the effect of preventing local governments from using this revenue for purposes that the local government deems to be its best and highest use. For example, cities may be justifiably hesitant to hire new police officers if the revenue source could end in just five years. Moreover, cities are prevented from using the money for any purpose which requires bonding beyond a five year period. (ie, additional police facilities.) PURPOSE As proposed, this bill would allow the governing entity of a county of a million or more people or a municipality with a population of 75,000 or less to determine the number of years for which a Crime Control District should be continued. Any change must be approved by local voters. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Adds Subsection (d) to Section 8.01 of Article 2370c-4 of Vernon's Civil Statues which would allow a Crime Control District in county with a population of 1 million or more, or a municipality of 75,000 or less, to specify on a continuation referendum the number of years for which a district can be continued. SECTION 2. Adds Subsection (c) which exempts a district created under this proposal from the five year sunset. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute deletes Subsection (e) in SECTION 1, and Subsection (d) in SECTION 2 of the original.