BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 874
	By: West
	Natural Resources & Economic Development
	3/27/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The city of Grand Prairie will host the first season of Major League Cricket (MLC) beginning in July 2023. Matches will take place in a newly constructed cricket venue, Grand Prairie Stadium. The season will feature 19 matches played over 18 days with the championship final occurring on July 30, 2023.

S.B. 874 adds individual cricket matches or competitions, or series of matches including the T20 World Cup sanctioned by the International Cricket Council, USA Cricket, or Major League Cricket, to the list of events eligible for participation in the Major Events Reimbursement Program. The bill also adds the International Cricket Council, USA Cricket, and Major League Cricket to the list of site selection organizations in this section of the Government Code.

Because cricket is an international sport, and international cricket tournaments typically occur with matches in various states and nations at the same time as part of the lead-up to a championship match, the legislation also species that cricket events as sanctioned by the bill may receive funding through the program even if a portion of the event takes place in another state or country, or if the event is held multiple times per year.

As proposed, S.B. 874 amends current law relating to the eligibility of certain cricket events for funding under 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 478.0001(3) and (7), Government Code, as effective April 1, 2021, as follows:

(3) Provides that "event" means any of the following and includes any activity related to or associated with the following:

(A)-(DD) makes no changes to these paragraphs;

(EE) makes a nonsubstantive change to this paragraph; or

(FF) an individual match or competition or a series of matches or competitions including the T20 World Cup sanctioned by the International Cricket Council, USA Cricket, or Major League Cricket.

(7) Provides that "site selection organization" means:

(A)-(I) makes no changes to these paragraphs;

(J) International Cricket Council, USA Cricket, or Major League Cricket;

(K)-(S) makes no changes to these paragraphs; or

(T)-(Y) makes nonsubstantive changes to these paragraphs.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 478.0051, Government Code, as effective April 1, 2021, as follows:

Sec. 478.0051. EVENTS ELIGIBLE FOR FUNDING. (a)-(b) Makes no changes to these subsections.

(c) Authorizes an event described by Section 478.001(3)(FF), notwithstanding Subsection (b), to receive funding through the program if a portion of the event takes place in another state or country or if the event is held multiple times per year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.