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.