HBA-CMT, JEK H.B. 995 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 995
By: Keel
State, Federal & International Relations
2/25/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law, authorizes local option elections in any county for the
creation of public library districts  funded by a local sales tax of up to
one-half of one percent.  The general powers of a library district do not
include the improvement of land or the ability to pledge taxes as
collateral for debt.  House Bill 995 provides that the general powers of a
library district include the improvement of land and the ability to pledge
taxes as collateral for debt to further the purposes for which the district
was created. 

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 995 amends the Local Government Code to add the authority to
purchase, acquire, own, maintain, or improve land to the powers of a
library district.  The bill authorizes the pledging of sales and use taxes
as collateral for borrowing money to further a library district's purposes. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.