By: Guillen H.B. No. 1397
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to venue projects in certain municipalities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 334, Local Government
Code, is amended by adding Section 334.009 to read as follows:
Sec. 334.009. VENUE PROJECTS IN CERTAIN MUNICIPALITIES.
(a) This section applies only to a municipality that has a
population of at least 176,000, that borders the Rio Grande, and
that approved a sports and community venue project before January
1, 2009.
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, including Section
334.089, after complying with Section 334.022, a municipality to
which this section applies may hold an election under Section
334.024 on the question of approving and implementing a resolution
to:
(1) authorize the municipality to plan, acquire,
establish, develop, construct, or renovate a convention center and
related infrastructure in the city limits of the municipality as
part of an existing or previously approved sports and community
venue project, regardless of whether the convention center is
located on the premises of the existing or previously approved
venue project;
(2) impose a tax under Subchapter H at a rate not to
exceed two percent of the cost of a room; and
(3) authorize the municipality to finance, operate,
and maintain the venue project described by Subdivision (1),
including the convention center, using the revenue from any taxes
imposed by the municipality under this chapter, including taxes
previously approved in relation to the existing or previously
approved venue project.
(c) If the resolution is approved by a majority of the votes
cast in the election, the municipality may implement the
resolution.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.