A name change and new eligible events could be coming to the Major Events Trust Fund, which uses state and local tax revenue to help pay for the costs of hosting eligible events.

The Texas House of Representatives Economic & Small Business Development committee discussed several bills related to the fund during its March 26 meeting.

Name change

HB 1292 would change the name of the fund from the Major Events Trust Fund to the Major Events Reimbursement Program.

The bills author, Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin, called the funds name misleading and said the proposed name would more accurately reflect what the fund does.

The bill was left pending following discussion.

New events

Three additional bills related to the fundHB 1318, HB 1440 and HB 2074are pending.

HB 1318 would make presidential general election debates eligible for trust fund dollars.

The bills author, committee chair Rep. Angie Chen Button, R-Richardson, said roughly 60 million people watch the presidential debates, making them one of the most viewed events behind the Super Bowl and the Olympics.

She also said a debate generates $13.1 million in immediate economic impacts.

HB 1440 would make the Elite Rodeo Association World Championships eligible for trust fund dollars.

The bills author, Rep. Cecil Bell Jr., R.-Magnolia, said these days all states are vying for major events and he wants to make sure Texas stays competitive.

The fund is all about bringing in dollars from outside of the state, he said. Rodeo and Texas go together. Im in favor of having all of the major rodeo events in Texas.

During testimony, the Elite Rodeo Association was described as a nationwide 16-stop pro rodeo tour. Rodeo champion Trevor Brazile testified in favor of the bill.

A similar bill, HB 2074, would make the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association finals event eligible. The bills author is Rep. Charles Doc Anderson, R-Waco.