BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1815

By: Kitzman

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Waller County Commissioners Court is starting up a parks department and would like there to be enforceable park rules in order to help deter people from misusing public facilities and to help save taxpayer money. H.B. 1815 seeks to address this issue by extending to a county with certain characteristics the authority for a board of park commissioners, subject to the approval of the county commissioners court, to adopt reasonable rules concerning the use of any park administered by the board, a violation of which is subject to a civil penalty.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1815 amends the Local Government Code to extend to a county with a population of less than 75,000 that is adjacent to three counties with populations of more than 450,000 the authority for a board of park commissioners, subject to the approval of the county commissioners court, to adopt reasonable rules concerning the use of any park administered by the board, a violation of which is subject to a civil penalty. The bill prohibits a park board created for the county from adopting rules relating to the use of fireworks.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.