SRC-ARR S.B. 287 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 287
76R4043 MI-FBy: Brown
Natural Resources
3/1/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas authorizes the Texas Parks and Wildlife capital account to
be used for a few specific purposes, such as acquiring new land or
facilities, developing and improving existing land or facilities, debt
service on Texas park development bonds, and local park grants. In
addition, the state parks currently suffer infrastructure problems due to
an excess of deferred maintenance. This has led to a reduction in the
enjoyment of park facilities, and in extreme cases, a hazardous situation
for park visitors. S.B. 287 will give the Parks and Wildlife Commission
another tool with which to address the infrastructure problems in state
parks by expanding the uses of the capital account to include operational
costs, and meeting the requirements for matching federal grants.  

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 287 adds approved projects to the Texas parks and
wildlife capital account. 

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 11.043(c), Parks and Wildlife Code, to authorize
money in the Texas parks and wildlife capital account  to be spent only for
acquisition and development or operation of parks, fisheries, and wildlife
projects that have been individually approved by the Parks and Wildlife
Commission.  Authorizes approved projects to include 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.