BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 9
By: Brimer
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
As proposed, S.B. 9 provides for the creation of a county park beautification and improvement program, and for the implementation and funding of such a program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle B, Title 10, Local Government Code, by adding Chapter 328, as follows:
CHAPTER 328. COUNTY PARK BEAUTIFICATION AND IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Sec. 328.001. PURPOSE; CREATION. Provides that it is the intent of the legislature that each county dedicating land for use as county parks be encouraged to beautify and improve those parks through measures including but not limited to improvements in or additions to lighting, directional and educational signs, litter abatement strategies, and landscaping and landscape maintenance policies. Establishes the County Park Beautification and Improvement Program (program) in the furtherance of these goals.
Sec. 328.002. IMPLEMENTATION. Authorizes the commissioners court of a county by majority vote to elect to participate in the program. Requires the commissioners court, upon election, to designate one person to serve as 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. 328.003. REPORT; ADOPTION. Requires the coordinator to report the coordinator's findings and to recommend an implementation strategy to the commissioners court. Authorizes the commissioners court to adopt or reject the implementation strategy. Requires the commissioners court, upon rejection, to specify the reasons to the coordinator and requires the coordinator to develop a new implementation strategy for presentation within six months of the rejection. Authorizes the commissioners court, upon adoption of an implementation strategy, to fund the program as provided in Section 328.004.
Sec. 328.004. FUNDING. Authorizes the commissioners court of a county electing to participate in the program to solicit and accept bequests, donations, grants, and other money, goods, and services from federal, state, and private sources to finance and further the goals of the program. Prohibits the commissioners court from levying any taxes 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 adjournment.