AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Major Events trust fund is an economic development tool to attract major events. The fund applies local and state revenues generated from sales and use, auto rental, and alcoholic beverage taxes by certain major events to pay the costs incurred from hosting the events. The increase in visitor spending on transportation, lodging, food and alcohol, and other items has a positive economic impact to the state and the area hosting the event. Currently, the types of events eligible to receive funding range from major sporting events to political conventions.
S.B. 541 proposes adding a presidential general election debate to the list of events currently eligible for use of the fund. Presidential general election debates are one of the most nationally viewed events that a community can host. In 2012, the presidential and vice-presidential debates garnered more views than the national political party conventions and primary debates.
As proposed, S.B. 541 amends current law relating to the eligibility of presidential general election debates for distributions from a Major Events trust fund.
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. Amends Sections 5A(a)(4) and (5), Chapter 1507 (S.B. 456), Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999 (Article 5190.14, V.T.C.S.), as follows:
(4) Redefines "event" to include a presidential general election debate.
(5) Redefines "site selection organization" to include the Commission on Presidential Debates.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 5A, Chapter 1507 (S.B. 456), Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999 (Article 5190.14, V.T.C.S.), by adding Subsection (a-3), as follows:
(a-3) Provides that, for purposes of Subsection (a-1) (providing that an event not listed in Subsection (a)(4) of this section is ineligible for funding under this section) of this section, each presidential general election debate in a series of presidential debates before a general election is considered a separate, single event.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.