SWB H.B. 3320 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


WAYS & MEANS
H.B. 3320
By: Horn
4-28-97
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND 

The last complete analysis of state parks "deferred maintenance" needs was
completed in FY 1994, with an estimate of $186 million. Current estimates
from Texas Parks and Wildlife total $133 million, and could rise as the
data becomes more complete.   

PURPOSE

This bill allows the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to establish a
program whereby local governments use various economic development tools
to fund improvement and maintenance projects within designated state
parks, and the Parks and Wildlife Department matches the local
contribution. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
in Section 1 of this bill, in order to establish a program by which
political subdivisions may contribute money for improvements and/or
maintenance to state parks. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.Chapter 13, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter E, LOCAL PARTICIPATION. 

Section 13.351.  PROGRAM.
Grants the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department authority to establish a
program by which political subdivisions may contribute money for
improvements and/or maintenance to state parks. 

  Section 13.352.  CONTRIBUTION OF MONEY.
A political subdivision of the state may contribute local tax money to the
department, including revenue received under Section 4A or 4B, Development
Corporation Act of 1979; sales and use taxes collected under Subchapter D,
Chapter 312, Tax Code (County Development Districts); and hotel occupancy
tax revenue. The subdivision may contribute money only to improve or
maintain state parks that the subdivision determines contribute to the
economic, cultural or recreational well-being of the political
subdivision. 

A political subdivision may not contribute property tax revenue or sales
and use tax revenue collected under Chapter 321, 322, or 323, Tax Code. 

Section 13.353.  USE OF REVENUE.
The department is not required to accept a contribution made by a
political subdivision. If the department accepts a contribution, it must
match the contribution and use the funds to improve or maintain only the
state park or parks for which the money was contributed. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.