| TO: | Honorable Tom Craddick, Speaker of the House, House of Representatives |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB1150 by Puente (Relating to the financing of certain local water, conservation, and open-space projects in accordance with the law governing sports and community venue projects.), As Passed 2nd House |
The bill would amend Section 334, Local Government Code, to add to the definition of "venue" a watershed protection and preservation project; a conservation easement; an open-space preservation project; and a recharge, recharge area, or recharge feature protection project as being authorized under statute governing sports and community venue projects. A municipality or county would be authorized to use revenue derived from ad valorem taxes to construct, operate, maintain, or renovate a municipal parks and recreation system or the types of projects added by the provisions of the bill. Additionally, water obtained as a result of an acquisition of property for a project as added by the bill, may be used only for the maintenance of that property.
The bill would take effect immediately if it receives two-thirds vote in each house; otherwise, it would take effect September 1, 2003.
The change in Chapter 334, Local Government Code, would create the same change in definition of "venue" for Chapter 335; both chapters address projects undertaken by sports and community venue districts. Adding another type of venue would expand options for the districts. Authorizing the use of ad valorem taxes for certain projects would provide an additional funding mechanism. The positive fiscal impact would vary depending on the project.
| Source Agencies: |
| LBB Staff: | JK, SD, CL, DLBa
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