SRC-CTC, JEC C.S.S.B. 870 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 870 77R10238 ATP-DBy: Lindsay Intergovernmental Relations 4/4/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law does not allow counties to develop programs to promote tourism, literacy, or the arts. C.S.S.B. 870 authorizes counties to develop and administer certain community and economic development programs. 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 381.004(b), Local Government Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (f), as follows: (b) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county, in order to stimulate business and commercial activity in a county, to develop and administer a program: to promote and advertise the county and its vicinity and conduct a solicitation program to attract conventions, visitors, and businesses; to support comprehensive literacy programs for the benefit of county residents; or for the encouragement, promotion, improvement, and application of the arts. (f) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county to support a children's advocacy center that provides services to abused children. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends As Filed S.B. 870 by including the development and administration of a program for the encouragement, promotion, improvement, and application of the arts to the list of actions the commissioners court of a county is authorized to take to stimulate business and commercial activity in a county. Further amends As Filed S.B. 870 by authorizing the commissioners court of a county to support a children's advocacy center that provides services to abused children. SECTION 2. No change.