BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                           H.B. 2796

                                                                                                                                       By: Gonzales

                                                                                                           Border & International Affairs

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

In 2005, the Hidalgo County Commissioners   Court considered providing funding in the amount of $50,000 to the International Museum of Art & Science.  However, state law does not currently grant counties the authority to appropriate funds for the purpose of financing museums.

 

H.B. 2796 would grant certain counties the authority to operate and finance museums in the county for specific purposes or to contract with private entities to perform services that the county is authorized to perform itself.

 

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. 2796 amends the Local Government Code by authorizing certain counties to construct or operate a museum in the county to display, construct, restore, preserve, maintain, or reconstruct buildings, works of art, and related furnishings for exhibitions.  Furthermore, this Act provides for certain counties to contract with an entity to provide the museum.

 

The bill authorizes the commissioners court to appropriate money from the general fund of the county to the museum for certain functions as provided by this Act. 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.