Bill Caption

Relating to the certification of live music venues by and other duties of the Texas Music Office.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

HB 3373 would create a statutory definition for the term "independent live music venue" and provide for such venues to be certified by the Texas Music Office. The bill also requires the Texas Music Office to administer and oversee federal programs in this state supporting independent live music venues, operators, producers, or promoters. The bill stipulates qualifications required to receive the independent live music venue certification.

Vote Recommendation Notes

To the extent that federal programs exist to subsidize live music venues, perhaps the Texas Music Office is the appropriate entity to coordinate those efforts in this state.

More broadly, Texas Action opposes these types of subsidies which abridge limited government and free market principles by further enabling governments to operate outside of their core functions, pick winners and losers in the economy, and direct taxpayer subsidies to private businesses. 

However, since this bill does not create new subsidies or appropriate money that is not already being spent for this purpose, or create a new office that did not already exist, we will not oppose HB 3373.