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.