BILL ANALYSIS
By: Gallego
Border & International Affairs
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, municipalities are authorized to derive revenue from sales and taxes to construct, operate, maintain, or renovate municipal parks. County parks are not included in this definition. Terrell County is at a disadvantage because there are no nearby towns that are incorporated in the county; therefore they are ineligible to develop a recreation facility or park.
Under H.B. 1166, a county that has a population of less than 2,000 and that contains no incorporated territory of a municipality would be authorized to develop county parks and recreation systems under the definition of venue projects.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 1166 amends the Local Government Code by authorizing a county which has a population of less than 2,000 and that contains no incorporated territory of a municipality, to provide for the planning, acquisition, establishment, development, construction, or renovation of a county parks and recreation system as a venue project. The venue project may include improvements or additions to the county parks and recreation system; and an area or facility that is part of the county parks and recreation system. The bill applies other provisions of the Local Government Code to a venue project authorized by this section. If at a later date, a part of the county becomes incorporated in a municipality, the county maintains the authority granted under this section.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.