HBA-SEP S.B. 1173 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1173
By: Wentworth
Financial Institutions
5/10/2001
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Admiral Nimitz Historical Center in Fredericksburg was established in
1964 and has been a historic site within the state park system since 1981.
Senate Bill 1173 authorizes the Parks and Wildlife Department, by
resolution of the Parks and Wildlife Commission, to request the Texas
Public Finance Authority to issue revenue obligations to finance the
repair, renovation, improvement, expansion, and equipping of the Nimitz
museum.   

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. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 1173 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to authorize the Parks
and Wildlife Department (department), by resolution of the Parks and
Wildlife Commission (commission), to request the Texas Public Finance
Authority (authority) to issue revenue obligations to finance the repair,
renovation, improvement, expansion, and equipping (improvement) of the
Nimitz museum for one or more projects not to exceed an aggregated
estimated cost of $9 million.  On receipt of a request by the department,
the authority is required to promptly issue the revenue obligations.  The
department is required to deposit the proceeds of issued revenue
obligations to the credit of the Texas parks and wildlife conservation and
capital account and is authorized to use the proceeds only to finance the
improvement of the museum. Notwithstanding any other law, the department is
authorized to contract with the Admiral Nimitz Foundation (foundation) to
oversee the improvement of the museum.  The department is authorized to
accept contributions from the foundation and other sources in connection
with the improvement of the museum.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. 

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No. 1 authorizes the Parks and Wildlife Department to
contract with the Admiral Nimitz Foundation for, rather than to oversee,
the renovation, improvement, or expansion of the museum.