HBA-DMH S.B. 870 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 870
By: Lindsay
County Affairs
4/29/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, counties do not have the authority to develop programs
to promote tourism, literacy, or the arts.  Several areas of the state
could benefit from expanded tourism programs to profit from Texas's $36.7
billion tourism industry.  Senate Bill 870 authorizes the commissioners
court of a county to develop and administer such programs. 

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 870 amends the Local Government Code to authorize the
commissioners court of a county to develop and administer a program: 

_to promote or advertise the county and its vicinity or conduct a
solicitation program to attract conventions, visitors, and businesses; 

_to support comprehensive literacy programs for the benefit of county
residents; or 

_for the encouragement, promotion, improvement, and application of the arts.

The bill authorizes the commissioners court of a county to support a
children's advocacy center that provides services to abused children. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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