BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1492

By: Miller

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the status of the National Museum of the Pacific War account as a separate account in the general revenue fund restricts the ability of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation to take advantage of new technology in operating the National Museum of the Pacific War, such as the ability to offer admission tickets online. H.B. 1492 seeks to address this issue by creating the National Museum of the Pacific War museum fund outside the state treasury.

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. 1492 repeals Section 442.054, Government Code, relating to the National Museum of the Pacific War account in the general revenue fund.

H.B. 1492 amends the Government Code to create the National Museum of the Pacific War museum fund as a fund outside the state treasury that consists of admissions revenue from operation of the National Museum of the Pacific War and donations made to the Texas Historical Commission for the museum. The bill requires the commission to administer the fund but authorizes the commission to contract with the Admiral Nimitz Foundation for administration of the fund. The bill authorizes the spending of money in the fund without appropriation and limits the use of that money to administering, operating, preserving, repairing, expanding, or otherwise maintaining the museum. The bill requires interest and income from the fund's assets to be credited to and deposited in the fund. The bill requires the commission to deposit the proceeds of revenue bonds or other revenue obligations issued by the Texas Public Finance Authority to finance the repair, renovation, improvement, expansion, and equipping of the museum in accordance with the Texas Public Finance Authority Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.