HBA-BSM H.B. 838 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 838
By: Hinojosa
State Affairs
4/19/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is concern regarding the accountability of private
nonprofit economic development corporations that receive grant money from
public funds for the express purpose of attracting businesses and creating
job opportunities.  Several of these private groups each receive hundreds
of thousands of dollars annually from local tax funds, with some receiving
as much as $1 million annually in local public funds.  However, these
entities are not subject to statutes covering public information and open
meetings regarding the use of public funds, which may allow decisions to be
made without public knowledge, or opportunity for input by or consent of
the public.  House Bill 838 subjects a nonprofit economic development
corporation that receives public funds to open meetings and public
information laws. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 838 amends the Government Code to add the governing board of an
economic development corporation that receives public funds and is
established under any law of this state to the definition of  a
"governmental body."  The change subjects the governing board to open
meetings and public information laws. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.