• June 6, 2017

New Laws: Creation of the Texas Music History Trail and Cruise Ship Focus

New Laws: Creation of the Texas Music History Trail and Cruise Ship Focus

150 150 Elect Todd Hunter

New Laws: Creation of the Texas Music History Trail and Cruise Ship Focus

In Texas, the music industry is extraordinarily diverse and has a deep, long history. Texas music, its cultural roots and its history are cherished and celebrated in many ways across the state. There are several hundred music festivals and thousands of live music concerts annually. There are over a thousand Texas music museums and historic dancehalls across the state, as well. These events and establishments draw millions of visitors annually, making Texas music a top tourist attraction in our state and Texas music tourism greatly benefits the local communities and our state economically.

To further promote and preserve the history of Texas music and musicians, I introduced House Bill (HB) 2079 during the recent Legislative Session. This bill creates a framework for a Texas Music History Trail within the Texas Historical Commission’s existing Texas Heritage Trail Program (THTP). The Texas Music History Trail will officially designate locations and organizations across the state that is deemed historically significant to Texas’ music heritage.

HB 2079 involves local entities (i.e. Convention of Visitors Bureaus, Chambers of Commerce, city governments), state entities (i.e. Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, Governor’s Office of Music, Texas Travel Industry Association, Texas Tourism Caucus, Texas Arts Commission), and the Texas Historical commission to work together to identify locations and organizations they feel should be included in the Texas Music History Trail progress. Once the Texas Music History Trail is created, all information for each of these locations and organizations will be featured on the THTP website, Texas Time Travel.

Also, during the general Texas legislative session, I filed legislation promoting cruise ship development for the Coastal Bend and South Texas area. The Governor’s office was included and was very helpful. My legislative package for cruise ship development will be utilized as an interim study for the Texas legislature to develop a final report to promote this critical travel and tourism industry. This will give our area sufficient time to plan and prepare. We will keep everyone posted and we will be organizing our task force to promote cruise ship development this fall.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32

Rep. Hunter represents Nueces County (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672