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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the funding structure for state and local parks. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 151.801(c), Tax Code, is amended to read |
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as follows: |
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(c) The proceeds from the collection of the taxes imposed by |
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this chapter on the sale, storage, or use of sporting goods shall be |
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[deposited as follows:
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[(1) For the period beginning September 1, 1993, and
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ending August 31, 1995, an amount equal to 50 cents per 1,000
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cigarettes shall be deposited to the credit of the general revenue
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fund, state parks account, and an amount equal to 50 cents per 1,000
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cigarettes shall be deposited to the credit of the general revenue
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fund, Texas recreation and parks account, and the balance shall be
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retained in the general revenue fund.
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[(2) Beginning September 1, 1995, the taxes collected
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shall be] credited to the Parks and Wildlife Department, and the |
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comptroller shall deposit the proceeds [deposited] as specified by |
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the legislature in a general appropriations act for the |
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then-current state fiscal biennium, to the following accounts: |
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(1) the state parks account; |
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(2) the Texas recreation and parks account; and |
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(3) the Texas parks and wildlife conservation and |
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capital account [in the Parks and Wildlife Code. The comptroller
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shall not credit in excess of $32 million in sporting goods tax
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revenue annually to the Parks and Wildlife Department]. |
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SECTION 2. Section 11.035(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The department shall deposit to the credit of the state |
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parks account all revenue, less allowable costs, received from the |
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following sources: |
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(1) grants or operation of concessions in state parks |
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or fishing piers; |
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(2) publications on state parks, state historic sites, |
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or state scientific areas; |
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(3) fines or penalties received from violations of |
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regulations governing parks issued pursuant to Subchapter B, |
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Chapter 13, of this code; |
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(4) fees and revenue collected under Section 11.027(b) |
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or (c) of this code that are associated with state park lands; |
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(5) the amount allocated by the legislature |
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[$1,125,000 per month and 40 percent of the amount above $27 million
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per year of credits made to the department] under Section 151.801, |
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Tax Code; and |
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(6) any other source provided by law. |
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SECTION 3. Sections 11.043(b) and (c), Parks and Wildlife |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(b) The account consists of the amount allocated by the |
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legislature [of credits made to the department] under Section |
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151.801, Tax Code, [after allocations to the state parks account
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and the Texas recreation and parks account,] proceeds of revenue |
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bonds issued under Section 13.0045, and money from [or] any other |
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source authorized by law. |
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(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), money in the |
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account may be spent only for debt service appropriated to the |
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department or the Texas Public Finance Authority, acquisition and |
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development, maintenance, or operation of parks, fisheries, and |
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wildlife projects that have been individually approved by the |
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commission. Projects that directly provide hunting, fishing, or |
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outdoor recreation opportunity to the public shall be given |
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preference for funding under this section. Approved projects may |
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include: |
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(1) acquiring land or facilities for use in any |
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department program; |
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(2) developing and improving any land or facility |
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owned or controlled by the department; |
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(3) servicing the debt on Texas park development bonds |
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issued under Article III, Section 49-e, of the Texas Constitution |
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or any other bonds issued for parks, fisheries, or wildlife |
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projects; |
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(4) local park grants in Chapter 24 of this code; |
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(5) initiating or participating in partnerships to |
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enhance conservation of historical, cultural, or natural |
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resources; |
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(6) operational and maintenance costs in association |
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with any parks, fisheries, wildlife projects, or department law |
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enforcement efforts in support of this code; and |
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(7) meeting the requirements for providing matching |
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money for any federal grants for parks, fisheries, or wildlife |
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projects. |
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SECTION 4. Section 24.003, Parks and Wildlife Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 24.003. ACCOUNT REVENUE SOURCE. The department shall |
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deposit to the credit of the Texas recreation and parks account: |
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(1) the amount allocated by the legislature under |
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Section 151.801, Tax Code [$1,125,000 per month and 40 percent of
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the amount above $27 million per year of credits made to the
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department under Section 151.801, Tax Code]; and [or] |
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(2) money from any other source authorized by law. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |