BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 765

By: Burns

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns that certain sites of historical significance in Johnson County are at risk because of the inability of the county's commissioners court to appropriate funding for preserving and maintaining the sites. H.B. 765 seeks to address this issue by providing for the authorization of such an appropriation under certain circumstances.

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. 765 amends the Local Government Code to lower from 239,000 to 150,000 the minimum population threshold of a county whose commissioners court may appropriate money from the county's general fund to a historical foundation or organization in the county for the purpose of purchasing, constructing, restoring, preserving, maintaining, or reconstructing historical landmarks, buildings, and furnishings that are of historical significance to the county.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.