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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to authorizing certain nature centers to charge admission |
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fees. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 10, Local Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 337 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 337. NATURE CENTERS |
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Sec. 337.001. AUTHORITY OF CERTAIN NATURE CENTERS TO CHARGE |
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ADMISSION FEE. (a) In this chapter, "nature center" means a |
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property with limited development, or an undeveloped property, |
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that: |
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(1) is at least 30 acres but not more than 50 acres; |
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(2) has been dedicated to preserving a unique |
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geological or environmental feature, including a habitat; |
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(3) allows passive or low-impact outdoor recreation, |
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such as hiking; and |
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(4) offers educational programs. |
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(b) This section applies only in a county with a population |
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of 1.8 million or more. |
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(c) The board of directors of a not-for-profit entity that |
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maintains county and municipal park property as a nature center |
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under a formal agreement may charge an admission fee for entrance |
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onto or use of the county and municipal property. Any fee must be |
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approved each year by the county and the municipality. |
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(d) Fees collected under this section may be used only to |
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provide educational programs conducted on, to maintain, or to |
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construct improvements to the county and municipal property. |
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(e) Fees collected under this section shall be audited |
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annually by an independent auditor. All audit reports shall be |
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submitted to the county and the municipality on completion. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all of the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |