By: Guillen H.B. No. 1300
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to funding for state sites through private contributions
and partnerships and to commercial advertising on certain state
sites.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 11, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended
by adding Subchapter J-1 to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER J-1. FOR-PROFIT PARTNERSHIPS
Sec. 11.221. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Official corporate partner" means a for-profit
entity that:
(A) is designated an official corporate partner
by the department;
(B) works with the department to raise funds for
state site operations and maintenance; and
(C) is selected as provided under Section 11.222.
(2) "State site" means a state park, natural area, or
historic site under the jurisdiction of the department.
Sec. 11.222. SELECTION; CONTRACT. (a) Subject to
commission approval, the department may select a for-profit entity
as an official corporate partner.
(b) The department may contract with an official corporate
partner to raise funds for state site operations and maintenance.
Sec. 11.223. GIFTS AND GRANTS; FUND-RAISING. (a) To raise
funds for state site operations and maintenance, an official
corporate partner may accept contributions, gifts, grants, and
promotional campaign proceeds on behalf of the department. The
department shall ensure that an official corporate partner
transfers the contributions, gifts, grants, and promotional
campaign proceeds to the department as soon as possible.
(b) The department may contract with an official corporate
partner to conduct joint promotional campaigns or other
fund-raising efforts conducted by the department to raise funds for
state site operations and maintenance.
Sec. 11.224. USE OF FUNDS. Money received by the department
under this subchapter, including money received under a contract or
licensing or other agreement or as a gift or grant, may be used only
for state site operations and maintenance.
Sec. 11.225. RULES. The commission shall adopt rules to
implement this subchapter, including rules that establish
guidelines or best practices for official corporate partners.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Parks and Wildlife
Code, is amended by adding Sections 13.0151 and 13.0155 to read as
follows:
Sec. 13.0151. STATE PARK PASSES. (a) The department may
contract with any entity the department considers appropriate to
sell state park passes in any of the entity's retail locations.
(b) The commission may adopt rules to implement this
section.
Sec. 13.0155. USE OF PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT BRAND.
(a) The department may contract with any entity the department
considers appropriate to use the Parks and Wildlife Department
brand in exchange for licensing fees paid by the entity to the
department.
(b) The department shall use the licensing fees received
under Subsection (a) only for the operation and maintenance of
state sites as defined by Section 11.221.
(c) The commission may adopt rules to implement this
section.
SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 13, Parks and Wildlife
Code, is amended by adding Section 13.103 to read as follows:
Sec. 13.103. ADVERTISING. (a) The commission by rule may
assess and limit commercial advertising in state parks, natural
areas, historic sites, or other sites under the jurisdiction of the
department to preserve the integrity of the sites and to minimize
distractions that may interfere with the enjoyment of the sites by
visitors.
SECTION 4. 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, 2011.