SRC-TJG S.B. 220 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 220
By: Harris
Administration
1/21/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

As proposed, S.B. 220 establishes a County Park Beautification and
Improvement Program, and provides for its implementation, administration,
and funding for the purpose of encouraging counties to beautify and
improve county parks. 

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 Title 10B, Local Government Code, by adding Chapter
327, as follows: 

Chapter 327.  COUNTY PARK BEAUTIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

Sec. 327.001.  PURPOSE; CREATION.  Provides that it is the intent of the
legislation that each county dedicating land for use as county parks be
encouraged to beautify and improve those parks using certain measures.
Provides that the County Park Beautification and Improvement Program
(program) is established.   

Sec. 327.002.  IMPLEMENTATION.  Authorizes the commissioners court of a
county (court) to by majority vote elect to participate in the program.
Requires the court of a county, on such election, to designate one person
in the division of the county government responsible for the care and
maintenance of the county parks as the coordinator for the program.
Authorizes the coordinator to solicit advice and assistance from state and
county agencies and private organizations in developing and implementing
the program. 

Sec. 327.003.  REPORT; ADOPTION.  Requires the coordinator report to the
court the coordinator's findings and recommend an implementation strategy
to the court.  Authorizes the court to reject or adopt the implementation
strategy.  Requires the court, if the court rejects the strategy, to
specify to the coordinator the reasons for such rejection, and requires
the coordinator to develop a new implementation strategy to present to the
court within six months of the rejection.  Authorizes the court, on
adoption of an implementation strategy, to fund the program as provided in
Section 327.004.  

Sec. 327.004.  FUNDING.  Authorizes a court electing to participate in the
program to solicit and accept certain types of money, goods, and services
from certain sources to finance and further the goals of the program but
prohibits the court from levying any tax or receiving any legislative
appropriation to fund such participation.  Provides that the state is not
liable for debts or other obligations incurred by a county in implementing
or planning to implement the program under this chapter. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or the 91st day after the last
day of the legislative                    session.