By: McClendon (Senate Sponsor - West) H.B. No. 2514
         (In the Senate - Received from the House April 23, 2007;
  April 26, 2007, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Intergovernmental Relations; May 7, 2007, reported favorably by
  the following vote:  Yeas 5, Nays 0; May 7, 2007, sent to printer.)
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the creation of an arts and entertainment district by a
  populous municipality.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 10, Local Government Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 309 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 309.  ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS
         Sec. 309.001.  ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS.  (a)  A
  municipality with a population of more than one million may
  designate a defined area in the municipality as an arts and
  entertainment district to develop a public and private
  collaboration that plays a vital role in the cultural life and
  development of the community in the district.
         (b)  The municipality shall develop the area in the district
  so that it contributes to the public through interpretive,
  educational, and recreational uses.
         (c)  The municipality may solicit grants and donations for
  the development of the district.
         (d)  The municipality may provide incentives to persons to
  develop the area in the district for public purposes.
         (e)  The municipality may provide tax breaks to persons in
  the district to develop the district for public purposes.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
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