Texas House Bill HB2624

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the allocation of revenue from the state hotel tax for certain purposes in certain municipalities.

Impact

If enacted, the bill will direct two percent of hotel tax revenues from eligible municipalities for the purpose of funding programs aimed at litter and waste removal in state-owned rivers and their banks. This legislative initiative responds to the growing concern for environmental conservation, particularly tackling the challenges posed by debris accumulation in recreational waterways that are vital to local tourism. Municipalities receiving these funds must demonstrate their spending to ensure compliance with the bill's parameters.

Summary

House Bill 2624 proposes a new allocation mechanism for revenue derived from the state hotel tax specifically targeting certain municipalities. The bill establishes criteria for eligible municipalities, which must have a population of fewer than 75,000, be located in a county with a park and recreation district, and have experienced over 175,000 tourist visits to state-owned rivers for recreational activities in the previous fiscal year. The intent is to channel hotel tax revenues towards environmentally focused expenditures within these communities.

Contention

Possible points of contention could arise regarding the allocation criteria and the accountability measures imposed on municipalities. Critics may question whether the population threshold or visitation numbers accurately reflect municipalities' needs, potentially leaving some deserving communities without financial support. Additionally, the requirement for municipalities to document their expenditures could introduce administrative burdens that smaller towns may struggle to manage effectively.