78R1027 MXM-D

By:  West                                                         H.B. No. 139



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to transfer of the Odessa Meteor Crater to the Parks and 
Wildlife Department.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter N, Chapter 22, Parks and Wildlife 
Code, is amended by adding Section 22.185 to read as follows:
	Sec. 22.185.  ODESSA METEOR CRATER.  (a)  The department 
shall acquire and operate the Odessa Meteor Crater as a part of the 
state parks system.
	(b)  All revenues collected from leases or concessions shall 
be deposited to the credit of the state parks account.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  Not later than January 1, 2004:                               
		(1)  Ector County shall transfer to the Parks and 
Wildlife Department all functions and activities relating to the 
Odessa Meteor Crater performed by Ector County;
		(2)  all employees of Ector County who primarily 
perform duties related to the Odessa Meteor Crater shall become 
employees of the Parks and Wildlife Department;
		(3)  all contracts and other obligations of Ector 
County related to the Odessa Meteor Crater shall be transferred to 
the Parks and Wildlife Department; and
		(4)  Ector County shall transfer to the Parks and 
Wildlife Department all property owned by Ector County related to 
the Odessa Meteor Crater, including real property and any money 
appropriated by this state for the operation of the Odessa Meteor 
Crater.
	(b)  Before January 1, 2004, Ector County shall agree with 
the Parks and Wildlife Department to transfer to the Parks and 
Wildlife Department any functions, activities, employees, 
contracts, obligations, or property of Ector County related to the 
Odessa Meteor Crater to implement the transfer required by 
Subsection (a) of this section.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.