By Williamson H.B. No. 1211 75R4973 DRH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the use of public recreational facilities by certain 1-3 private organizations. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 10, Local Government Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Chapter 334 to read as follows: 1-7 CHAPTER 334. USE OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES 1-8 BY CERTAIN PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS 1-9 Sec. 334.001. USE PROHIBITED. (a) A political subdivision 1-10 of the state may not allow a private organization that enjoys a 1-11 special tax status under state or federal law to use a recreational 1-12 facility under the control of the political subdivision or of an 1-13 entity that manages the facility for the political subdivision if 1-14 the private organization: 1-15 (1) divides its membership into regions, districts, or 1-16 other geographic units based on the location of the residence of 1-17 its members; and 1-18 (2) restricts a member from participating in an 1-19 organization activity at the recreational facility because of the 1-20 location of the member's residence. 1-21 (b) In this section: 1-22 (1) "Recreational facility" means a publicly owned or 1-23 leased facility that is used for a sporting, entertainment, 1-24 cultural, or similar purpose, including a park, beach, arena, 2-1 stadium, or historical site. 2-2 (2) "Special tax status" means a tax exemption or 2-3 taxation at a reduced rate, such as nonprofit or charitable status. 2-4 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1997. The 2-5 changes in law made by this Act do not affect the right of a 2-6 private organization to use a publicly owned or leased recreational 2-7 facility under a written enforceable agreement entered into before 2-8 that date by the organization and by a political subdivision or an 2-9 entity that manages the facility for the political subdivision. 2-10 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-11 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-12 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-13 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-14 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.