HBA-TYH, NIK H.B. 2603 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2603 By: Solomons County Affairs 7/22/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 76th Legislature, the Texas Local Government Code authorized 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 had 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. Authorizes the commissioners court of a county with a population of 191,500 to 600,000, rather than 191,500 to 200,000, to appropriate money from the general fund of the county to a historical foundation or organization to maintain sites of historical significance. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.