LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session April 18, 2001 TO: Honorable Rene Oliveira, Chair, House Committee on Ways & Means FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: HB824 by Ellis, Dan (Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of property owned by certain nonprofit county fair associations.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** The bill would amend Chapter 11 of the Tax Code to create a new property tax exemption for county fair associations that do not hold a license to conduct pari-mutuel wagering. The Comptroller's staff contacted Jim Beale, representing the Texas Association of Fairs and Expositions. Mr. Beale provided the results of a survey of county fair associations indicating which associations pay property taxes on their property. The following 10 fairs own all or part of their facilities: La Salle County Fair; North Texas State Fair; Trinity Valley Exposition; Titus County Fair; Wharton County Youth Fair; East Texas Fair; Robertson County Fair; Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show; Panhandle-South Plains Fair; and Central Texas State Fair. Of these entities; Titus ($14,000); Wharton ($22,000); Rio Grande ($39,000); and Panhandle-South Plains ($14,000) paid property taxes for the 2000 tax year. The other six fairs either held property in the name of a city or county or were simply not assessed property taxes by local taxing units. This sample of fairs indicates there is a variety of local fact situations throughout the state that determines the taxable status of property exempted under this bill's provisions. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts LBB Staff: JK, SD, BR