SRC-AAA S.B. 893 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 893
By: Moncrief
Finance
3-19-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the law provides for cities with a population of 1,500,000 or
more to pledge certain hotel tax revenues for the acquisition and
construction of a convention center hotel.  Recently, a hotel study
confirmed that Fort Worth currently lacks adequate hotel space to
accommodate and compete for medium to large conventions.  This bill
authorizes cities with a population of 440,000 or more to have the ability
to use hotel occupancy taxes and sales and use taxes collected at a
municipallyowned hotel project that is within an enterprise zone and
within 1,000 feet of a city-or county-owned convention center, to be
rebated for a period of 10 years to the municipality to pay the bonds to
construct the hotel. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 893 authorizes cities with a population of 440,000 or
more to have the ability to use hotel occupancy taxes and sales and use
taxes collected at a municipally-owned hotel project that is within an
enterprise zone and within 1,000 feet of a city-or county-owned convention
center, to be rebated for a period of 10 years to the municipality to pay
the bonds to construct the hotel. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 351.001(2), Tax Code, to redefine "convention
center facilities." 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 351.102(a), Tax Code, to authorize a
municipality with a population of 440,00 or more, rather than 1,500,00 or
more,  to pledge revenue for payment of obligations of the municipality. 

SECTION 3. Amends Section(2)(a), Article 1269j-4.1, V.T.C.S.,  to provide
that certain facilities owned by a county with a population of 440,000 or
more, rather than 1,500,00 or more, to take certain actions on buildings
or recreational facilities.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 4. Amends Section 2303.003(8), Government Code, to redefine
"qualified hotel project." 

SECTION 5. Amends Section 2303.5055(b), Government Code, to authorize a
municipality with a population of 440,000 or more to agree to guarantee
obligations of the municipality from certain taxes. 

SECTION 6. Amends Section 4B(a)(2), Article 5190.6, V.T.C.S., to redefine
"project." 

SECTION 7. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.