HBA-CBW C.S.H.B. 1660 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 1660
By: Farrar
Urban Affairs
5/3/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Trees not only make a city more attractive but are integral in the fight
against smog and other carbon dioxide problems.   The fine for illegally
removing or destroying a tree within a city is minimal and may not serve as
a deterrent to persons considering damaging or destroying a tree.  C.S.H.B.
1660 allows for the imposition of a fine or penalty up to $2,000 for
violating rules, ordinances, or police regulations that govern municipal
beautification. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1660 amends the Local Government Code to prohibit a fine or
penalty for the violation of a rule, ordinance, or police regulation that
is adopted by a municipality with a population of 1.9 million or more and
that governs municipal beautification from exceeding $2,000. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1660 differs from the original by making provisions of the bill
applicable only to a municipality with a population of 1.9 million or more.