BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 1318

By: Button

Economic & Small Business Development

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The major events trust fund is an economic development tool that applies local and state gains from various taxes generated over a 12-month period from certain major events to pay costs incurred from hosting such events. Events eligible to receive funding range from major sporting events to political conventions, and the increase in visitor spending on transportation, lodging, food, and other items has a positive economic impact on the state and the areas hosting these events.

 

Interested parties note that presidential general election debates are among the most widely viewed events a community can host. With a viewership of more than 50 million, the popularity of these events ranks behind only the Super Bowl and the Olympics. H.B. 1318 seeks to address the eligibility of presidential general election debates for distributions from the major events trust fund.

 

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

 

H.B. 1318 amends Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes to add a presidential general election debate organized by the Commission on Presidential Debates to the events eligible for distributions from the major events trust fund.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2015.