By: West, Creighton S.B. No. 553

(In the Senate - Filed January 23, 2023; February 17, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Business & Commerce; April 6, 2023, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0; April 6, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 553 By: Menéndez

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to dedication ceremonies for new state buildings.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 2166, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 2166.0611 to read as follows:

Sec. 2166.0611. BUILDING DEDICATION CEREMONY. (a) The commission may hold a ceremony to dedicate a new state building.

(b) Subject to Subsection (c), the commission may use available appropriated money or donated money to pay for the ceremony.

(c) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission may use not more than $10,000 of appropriated money to purchase food, nonalcoholic beverages, flowers, decorations, and other items appropriate for the ceremony that the commission would otherwise be prohibited from purchasing.

(d) The commission may accept gifts, grants, or donations from any source for the purposes of this section.

(e) This section does not authorize the commission to purchase alcoholic beverages.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

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