Texas House Bill HB2070

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/27/09

Caption

Relating to the fee based on admissions to certain sexually oriented businesses.

Impact

The amended legislation also outlines the allocation of revenues generated from these fees. A significant portion of the fee collected is intended for the sexual assault program fund, although the specific distribution mechanisms have been adjusted, notably by repealing earlier sections related to revenue allocation. The long-term implication of this bill could be a shift in the funding landscape for sexual assault programs in Texas, as it could affect the amount of money directed towards these critical services.

Summary

House Bill 2070 proposes to amend the Business & Commerce Code by adjusting the fee structure imposed on sexually oriented businesses based on customer admissions. Specifically, the bill lowers the per-entry fee from $5 to $3, which directly influences the revenue these businesses would generate from admissions. This amendment reflects a legislative effort to possibly stimulate business by decreasing operational costs associated with entry fees, which have been a point of contention among business owners within this sector.

Contention

There may be notable debates surrounding this bill. Supporters of the bill argue that reducing the entry fee will help businesses maintain financial viability, particularly in economically challenging times. However, opponents could raise concerns about the potential decreased funding for sexual assault programs that previously benefitted from these fees. Moreover, the change in revenue allocation practices necessitates careful scrutiny to ensure that critical services do not face adverse funding impacts as a result of the amendments proposed in HB2070.