HBA-RBT H.B. 2844 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2844
By: Brimer
Ways & Means
3/27/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Last session, the "stadium bill" clarified the fact that voter approval is
needed before municipal hotel occupancy taxes are used for stadium
construction.  However, in 1998, the city of Round Rock considered
financing a new baseball stadium without voter approval, by dedicating
existing hotel occupancy taxes for "convention center facilities" to the
stadium.   

H.B. 2844 redefines "convention center facilities" or "convention center
complex." 

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 351.001(2), Tax Code, to specify that
"convention center facilities" or "convention center complex" means
facilities that are primarily used to host conventions and meetings. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.
            Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.