HBA-CBW H.B. 1660 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1660 By: Farrar Urban Affairs 4/23/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Trees not only make a city more attractive but are integral in the fight against smog and other carbon dioxide problems. The fine for illegally removing or destroying a tree within a city is minimal and may not serve as a deterrent to persons considering damaging or destroying a tree. House Bill 1660 allows for the imposition of a fine or penalty up to $2,000 for violating rules, ordinances, or police regulations that govern municipal beautification. 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 House Bill 1660 amends the Local Government Code to prohibit a fine or penalty for the violation of a rule, ordinance, or police regulation that governs municipal beautification from exceeding $2,000. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.