| TO: | Honorable Norma Chavez, Chair, House Committee on Border and International Affairs |
| FROM: | John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB2976 by Chavez (Relating to authorizing cooperative agreements between local, state, and federal governments and the United Mexican States to promote economic development and heritage tourism near the Rio Grande.), As Introduced |
The bill would require the Department of Economic Development (TDED) to establish and oversee the duties of the Borderlands Heritage Tourism Council (Council) to promote economic development and heritage tourism within Texas counties along or near the border region of Texas and Mexico. The Council would consist of one representative of the Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, and from the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Council would also consist of one person from TDED, the Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Historical Commission, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and one person from each from applicable Council of Governments.
The provisions of the bill require TxDOT to issue "Preserve America's Borderland" specialty plates for passenger cars and light trucks to support the activities of the Council. In addition, the provisions require TxDOT to work with appropriate federal and local jurisdictions to develop recommendations for the 79th Legislature to preserve historical and traditional border crossings. No significant fiscal implication is anticipated due to the estimated number of license plate issuances.
TDED indicates it could absorb the costs associated within current resources.
Because the legislation would create a dedicated revenue account in the General Revenue Fund, the account included in this bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current legislature.
The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2003.
| Source Agencies: | 333 Office of State-Federal Relations, 480 Texas Department of Economic Development, 601 Department of Transportation
|
| LBB Staff: | JK, JO, EB, RT, DE
|