BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2079

By: Hunter

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that Texas has a rich musical history that should be promoted and preserved. C.S.H.B. 2079 provides for a Texas music history trail program to be developed by the Texas Historical Commission.

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. 2079 amends the Government Code to require the Texas Historical Commission to develop a Texas music history trail program to promote and preserve Texas music history. The bill requires the program, at a minimum, to include designation of locations or organizations that are historically significant to Texas' musical heritage; adoption of an icon, symbol, or other identifying device to represent such a designation; the use of the icon, symbol, or other identifying device in promoting tourism around Texas and at the designated locations or organizations; and, to the extent funds are available, the development of itineraries and maps to guide tourists to the designated locations or organizations. The bill requires the commission to adopt eligibility criteria for a designation and procedures to administer the program and authorizes the commission to enter into a memorandum of understanding, as necessary, with certain specified state entities to implement the bill's provisions. The bill authorizes the commission to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and other donations from any source to implement the bill's provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2079 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.  Chapter 442, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 422.019 to read as follows: Section 442.019 TEXAS MUSIC HISTORY TRAIL.  (a)  The commission shall develop a Texas Music History Trail program to promote and preserve Texas music history. (b)  The program, at minimum, shall include: (1)  designation of locations or organizations that are historically significant to this state's musical heritage; (2)  adoption of an icon, symbol, or other identifying device to represent a designation under this section; (3)  the use of the icon, symbol, or other identifying device in promoting tourism around this state by the commission and at locations and by organization designated under this section; and (4)  the development of itineraries and maps to guide tourists to locations or organizations designated under this section. (c)  The commission shall adopt: (1)  eligibility criteria for a designation under this section; and (2)  procedures to administer the program created under this section. (d)  The commission may, as necessary, enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Economic Development and Tourism Office of the Governor, Texas Film Commission of the Arts, Texas Music Office of the Governor and the Texas Department of Transportation to implement this section. (e)  The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and other donations from any source to implement this section.	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 442, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 442.019 to read as follows: Sec. 442.019.  TEXAS MUSIC HISTORY TRAIL.  (a)  The commission shall develop a Texas Music History Trail program to promote and preserve Texas music history. (b)  The program, at a minimum, shall include: (1)  designation of locations or organizations that are historically significant to this state's musical heritage; (2)  adoption of an icon, symbol, or other identifying device to represent a designation under this section; (3)  the use of the icon, symbol, or other identifying device in promoting tourism around this state and at the locations or organizations designated under this section; and (4)  to the extent funds are available, the development of itineraries and maps to guide tourists to locations or organizations designated under this section. (c)  The commission shall adopt: (1)  eligibility criteria for a designation under this section; and (2)  procedures to administer the program created under this section. (d)  To implement this section, the commission may, as necessary, enter into a memorandum of understanding with: (1)  the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, including the divisions of the governor's office responsible for tourism and music, film, television, and multimedia; (2)  the Texas Commission on the Arts; or (3)  the Texas Department of Transportation. (e)  The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and other donations from any source to implement this section.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.	SECTION 2. Substantially the same as introduced version.