BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 247

By: Shapiro

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerned parties believe that the limited budget and staff of the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission prevent the commission from fulfilling its duties, which the commission could better accomplish if it were authorized to network and combine resources with other entities. S.B. 247 would enable the commission to do more with its limited resources by giving the commission certain grant authority and authorization to establish and operate an affiliated nonprofit organization to raise money for the commission.

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

S.B. 247 amends the Government Code to authorize the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission to provide matching grants to assist in the implementation of the commission's goals and objectives and to participate in the establishment and operation of an affiliated nonprofit organization whose purpose is to raise funds for or provide services or other benefits to the commission.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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