HBA-NIK S.B. 287 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 287
By: Brown
State Recreational Resources
3/28/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (department) receives $1
million annually from sporting goods sales tax to use for the acquisition,
development, or improvement of department lands or facilities and for park
grants.  H.B. 1691 expands the currently authorized uses for the account to
include operational costs in association with parks, fisheries, or wildlife
projects.  It also allows for providing matching money for federal projects
for parks, fisheries, or wildlife projects. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subsection (c), Section 11.043, Parks and Wildlife Code,
to provide that money in the account may be spent only for acquisition and
development or for operation of parks, fisheries, and wildlife projects
that have been individually approved by the commission.  Includes, among
the approved projects, the operational costs in association with any parks,
fisheries, or wildlife projects; and meeting the requirements for providing
matching money for any federal grants for parks, fisheries, or wildlife
projects. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.