BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2415

By: Kuempel

Higher Education

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current law, certain height restrictions are in place in Austin to preserve protected views of the Texas State Capitol. One of these restrictions caps the height of the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, and improvements to the stadium, in order to maintain these views. Due to the expansion and modernization of the north end of the stadium, The University of Texas at Austin would like the height restrictions updated. C.S.H.B. 2415 seeks to exempt the north end of the stadium from this cap.

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. 2415 amends the Government Code to exempt the north end of the Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, or an improvement related to the stadium, from the cap on the height of the stadium to preserve the view of the State Capitol. The bill sets out the exact metes and bounds of the area that constitutes the north end of the stadium.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2415 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

Whereas the introduced removed entirely the provision capping the height of the stadium or an improvement related to the stadium to preserve the view of the State Capitol, the substitute instead exempts the north end of the stadium, including related improvements, from that cap. Accordingly, the substitute sets out the exact metes and bounds of the north end of the stadium, which the introduced did not.