BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 884
	By: Whitmire et al.
	Intergovernmental Relations
	3/17/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2013, Harris County voters rejected a $217 million bond proposal that would have paid for massive renovations to the Astrodome. Since that time, the Astrodome has sat vacant. Now, the Harris County Commissioners Court is moving forward with a $105 million renovation project.

S.B. 884 requires approval by Harris County voters before Harris County can expend county revenue to improve or redevelop the Houston Astrodome.

As proposed, S.B. 884 amends current law relating to the authority of certain counties to use county revenue or incur debt to improve or redevelop certain sports facilities.

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 Chapter 330, Local Government Code, by adding Section 330.002, as follows:

Sec. 330.002. LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY OF CERTAIN COUNTIES TO IMPROVE OR REDEVELOP CERTAIN SPORTS FACILITIES. (a) Defines "sports facility."

(b) Provides that this section applies only to a county with a population of 3.3 million or more.

(c) Prohibits a county from funding, in whole or in part, the improvement or redevelopment of a sports facility that, as of the effective date of this Act, is more than 50 years old with county revenue, including revenue generated from property taxes, hotel occupancy taxes, fees or fines, or county debt if the improvement or redevelopment will cost $10 million or more, unless the funding is approved by the voters of the county at an election held for that purpose.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.