BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Interested parties note that the facilities at Hueco Tanks State Park in El Paso County currently are not conducive to a robust visitor experience and are hampering future development. The interested parties contend that the lack of appropriate facilities prevents Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff from implementing programs that would increase attendance. The interested parties note that with a modern facility TPWD staff would be able to achieve increased attendance and associated revenues to offset maintenance costs, mitigate the impact of visitors to the site, deliver programs that would allow persons with disabilities to enjoy the site's features through virtual tours, and contribute to state tourism. H.B. 988 seeks to address these concerns.
H.B. 988 requires TPWD to conduct a study to examine the need for and feasibility of establishing a visitors center at Hueco Tanks State Park in El Paso County. The bill requires TPWD to collaborate with the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo in planning for the development of the visitors center site. The bill requires TPWD to report the results of the study to the legislature not later than May 1, 2016, and requires the report to contain a recommendation on whether to establish the visitors center. The bill's provisions expire January 1, 2017.
H.B. 988 amends current law relating to a study of the feasibility of establishing a visitors center at Hueco Tanks State Park in El Paso County.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. STUDY. Requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to conduct a study to examine the need for and feasibility of establishing a visitors center at Hueco Tanks State Park in El Paso County. Requires TPWD to collaborate with the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo in planning for the development of the visitors center site.
SECTION 2. REPORT. Requires TPWD, not later than May 1, 2016, to report the results of the study to the legislature. Requires that the report contain a recommendation on whether to establish a visitors center at Hueco Tanks State Park in El Paso County.
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. Provides that this Act expires January 1, 2017.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: September 1, 2015.