HBA-NIK H.B. 2603 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2603
By: Solomons
County Affairs
3/27/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Local Government Code authorizes the commissioners
court of a county with a population of 191,500 to 200,000 to 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.   

The Denton County Commissioner's Court has created the Denton County
Historical Park Foundation to assist in activities related to the park.  As
of 1996, the population of Denton County was 348,453. 

H.B. 2603 increases the population bracket of a county authorized to
appropriate money from its general fund to a foundation or organization for
the purpose of supporting and furthering places of historical significance,
from 191,500 to 600,000, rather than 191,500 to 200,000. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 318.021, Local Government Code, as follows:

Sec. 318.021.  New title: APPROPRIATIONS TO HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS:
COUNTIES WITH POPULATION OF 191,500 TO 600,000, rather than 200,000.  Makes
a conforming change. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.