BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1431
86R13251 BEE-D	By: Fallon
	Natural Resources & Economic Development
	4/1/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) was formed in California in 1949, but relocated its headquarters to Pilot Point in Denton County in 2013. A year later, the NRCHA moved its first major event to the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth.

The NRCHA now has three major events in Fort Worth and has plans to locate its Championship Series here in Texas. In 2019, the NRCHA's events led to an incremental tax gain of more than $600,000 and an overall impact of more than $9 million. These events benefit not only our state's equine industry but also local businesses that benefit from spending from participants and exhibitors�75 percent of whom come from out-of-state and visit Fort Worth because of the NRCHA's events.

The NRCHA's commitment to the State of Texas, the City of Fort Worth, its home in Denton County, and the rural horse country that surrounds the Metroplex reflect a conscious decision by this great and storied organization to invest in our state.

S.B. 1431 allows NRCHA, which is headquartered in Pilot Point, Texas, to participate in the Major Events Trust Fund along with other out-of-state organizations like the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, NASCAR, the Academy of Country Music, and others.

As proposed, S.B. 1431 amends current law relating to the eligibility of certain events to receive funding through the Major Events Reimbursement Program.

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) Includes a National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA) Celebration of Champions, an NRCHA Hackamore Classic, and an NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity among certain other events in the definition of "event."

(5) Includes NRCHA among certain other organizations in the definition of "site selection organization" and makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.