H.B. 2889 78(R) Page  of 1BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 2889
By: Cook of Colorado
Urban Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Chapter 1508 of the Government Code is entitled Obligations for Municipal
Parks, Recreational Facilities, and Airports.  It comprises the following
subchapters: 

Subchapter A. Obligations for Parks, Recreational Facilities, and Airports
Subchapter B. Revenue Bonds for Swimming Pools
Subchapter C. Obligations for Health and Recreational Facilities In
Municipalities with Population of 230,000 or More 
Subchapter D. Bonds for Parks and Recreational Facilities In
Municipalities with Population of 1.2 Million or More 
Subchapter E. Certificates of Indebtedness for Sea Life Park and
Oceanarium. 

Subchapter C was originally enacted in 1935 and made applicable at that
time to cities with a population of 230,000 or more.  The legislation
authorized the issuance of "revenue bonds, notes and warrants" for parks
and other recreational facilities.House Bill 2889 would amend subchapter C
to lower the population applicability of the subchapter from
municipalities with a population of 230,000 or more to a population of
5,000 or more.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

Amends Section 1508.101, Government Code, and the heading of Subchapter C,
Chapter 1508, Government Code, to reduce population requirement from
230,000 to 5,000 for cities to issue debt obligations to acquire,
maintain, operate, etc., parks and other recreational facilities. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003.