Austin, TX — Representative Erin Zwiener (D-Driftwood) laid out House Bill 4158 Thursday in front of the Texas House Ways and Means Committee to protect the dark skies communities in the Texas Hill Country. HB 4158 would allow small cities in Hays and Blanco counties to use revenue from the municipal hotel occupancy tax to preserve the night sky.

“Tourism is a key industry in the Texas Hill Country,” said Rep. Zwiener. “And a dark night sky is a key driver of that tourism. This bill will give our communities more tools to protect the night sky and bring more visitors to our businesses.”

The International Dark Skies Association currently has certified three communities in Texas as Dark Sky Communities. These include Dripping Springs, Horseshoe Bay and Wimberley. Blanco and Fredericksburg are currently in the process of applying to receive the designation.