BWH C.S.S.B. 199 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


COUNTY AFFAIRS
C.S.S.B. 199
By: Zaffirini (Kuempel)
4-30-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND 

Currently, Texas law authorizes the board of directors of a park district
(board) to consult certain attorneys for legal services.  The board is
also required to subject contracts for $10,000 or more to the bidding
provisions applicable to the county.  This bill will add the district
attorney and criminal district attorney to the list of attorneys the board
is authorized to consult for legal services and will increase the dollar
amount to $15,000 for contracts to which bidding provisions apply.  This
bill will also authorize the board to bring an enforcement action without
posting a bond. 

PURPOSE

This legislation provides new regulations for a board of directors of a
park district on the hiring of legal services, the opening of contracts to
bidding, and the posting of bonds for enforcement actions. 

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. Amends Section 324.062(c), Local Government Code,  to authorize
a board of directors of a park district (board) to call on the district
attorney or criminal attorney for the legal services it requires.  

SECTION 2. Amends Section 324.064(b), Local Government Code, to authorize
a board to enter into a contract for $15,000 or less, rather than $10,000
or less, without advertisement.   

SECTION 3. Amends Section 324.066(d), Local Government Code, to make
conforming changes.  
SECTION 4.  Adds Section 324.0665, Local Government Code, to allow the
board not to post a bond to enforce this subchapter or enjoin a violation. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 324.099 (b), Local Government Code, to include
personal watercraft and windsurfers to the list of taxable items.  Also
adds a tax on the fees of a private club or organization which provides
water recreational equipment to its members. 

SECTION 6.  Makes application of Section 324.064(b), Local Government
Code, as amended, and Section 324.0665, Local Government Code,
prospective.  

SECTION 7.  Emergency clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute makes the following changes to the original:
 1) Adds the term "criminal district attorney" to SECTION 1 and 3;
 2) Adds a new SECTION 5 which amends Section 324.099 (b), Local
Government Code; and 
 3) Renumbers the following SECTIONS accordingly.