BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3316

By: Hunter

Ways & Means

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is concern that statutory provisions relating to the authorized uses of local tax revenue for sports and community venue projects leave unanswered questions as to whether those authorized uses include a venue tax to finance venues unique to coastal counties. C.S.H.B. 3316 seeks to clarify those matters by authorizing such a county to undertake certain tourism development projects as venue projects eligible for financing under the applicable provisions of law.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3316 amends the Local Government Code to authorize a county with a population of 40,000 or less in which at least one state park and one national wildlife refuge are located to plan, acquire, establish, develop, construct, or renovate a venue as a venue project. The bill defines "venue" by reference and specifies that it includes a tourism development project such as a park, aquarium, birding center, bird viewing site, history center, art center, nature center, nature trail, museum, or water-related project that creates or enhances an activity involving water sports or fishing.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3316 differs from the original by granting the specified venue project authority to a county with a population of 40,000 or less with certain characteristics, whereas the original grants that authority to a county with a population of 50,000 or less with those same characteristics.