BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 988

By: González, Mary

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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 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. C.S.H.B. 988 seeks to address these concerns.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 988 requires the 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. 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 988 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  STUDY.  The Parks and Wildlife Department shall conduct a study to examine the need for and feasibility of establishing a visitors center at Hueco Tanks State Park in El Paso County.	SECTION 1.  STUDY.  The Parks and Wildlife Department shall 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 department shall collaborate with the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo in planning for the development of the visitors center site.
SECTION 2.  REPORT.  Not later than May 1, 2016, the Parks and Wildlife Department shall report the results of the study to the legislature.  The report must contain a recommendation on whether to establish a visitors center at Hueco Tanks State Park in El Paso County.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 3.  EXPIRATION.  This Act expires January 1, 2017.	SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.
SECTION 4.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 4. Same as introduced version.