SRC-JEC H.B. 2681 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2681
77R8080 CBH-FBy: Allen (West, Royce)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/10/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Since completion of Joe Pool Lake, the City of Grand Prairie has attempted
to attract a hotel and resort development to the lake's Estes Peninsula
which is technically part of the city's park system. The placement of a
city-owned convention and conference center on the peninsula may enhance
the ability to attract a resort development that could compete nationally
to bring tourist and business dollars to Texas. However, revenue from a
hotel occupancy tax which is authorized to be used for the construction and
operation of convention centers is prohibited from being used for an area
or facility that is part of a municipal parks and recreation system.  H.B.
2681 authorizes a certain municipality that acquires an interest in real
property that by the terms of the acquisition is required to be maintained
as park property to use a municipal hotel occupancy tax to construct a
convention center facility on the acquired real property.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 334.2515, Local Government Code, to add an
exception. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 334H, Local Government Code, by adding Section
334.2516, as follows: 

Sec. 334.2516.  USE OF REVENUE BY CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES FOR CERTAIN
PURPOSES.  (a) Provides that this section applies only to a municipality
that meets certain criteria. 

(b) Authorizes a municipality to use revenue under this subchapter to
acquire, construct, improve, and equip a venue project that is a convention
center facility or related infrastructure to be constructed on real
property described by Subsection (a)(3). Additionally authorizes the
municipality to pledge the revenue to the payment of bonds or other
obligations the municipality issues to finance the convention center
facility infrastructure. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.