1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to authorizing the governing body of a municipality to
 1-3     enter into a tax abatement agreement with the owner of a leasehold
 1-4     interest in real property that is located in a reinvestment zone.
 1-5           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1.  Subsection (a), Section 312.204, Tax Code, is
 1-7     amended to read as follows:
 1-8           (a)  The governing body of a municipality eligible to enter
 1-9     into tax abatement agreements under Section 312.002 may agree in
1-10     writing with the owner of taxable real property that is located in
1-11     a reinvestment zone, but that is not in an improvement project
1-12     financed by tax increment bonds, to exempt from taxation a portion
1-13     of the value of the real property or of tangible personal property
1-14     located on the real property, or both, for a period not to exceed
1-15     10 years, [subject to the rights of holders of outstanding bonds of
1-16     the municipality,] on the condition that the owner of the property
1-17     make specific improvements or repairs to the property.  The
1-18     governing body of an eligible municipality may agree in writing
1-19     with the owner of a leasehold interest in real property that is
1-20     located in a reinvestment zone to exempt a portion of the value of
1-21     the leasehold interest, if taxable, or of improvements or tangible
1-22     personal property located on the real property subject to the
1-23     leasehold interest, for a period not to exceed 10 years, on the
1-24     condition that the owner of the leasehold interest make specific
1-25     improvements or repairs to the real property.  A tax abatement
 2-1     agreement under this section is subject to the rights of holders of
 2-2     outstanding bonds of the municipality.  An agreement exempting
 2-3     taxable real property may provide for the exemption of the real
 2-4     property in each year covered by the agreement only to the extent
 2-5     its value for that year exceeds its value for the year in which the
 2-6     agreement is executed.  An agreement exempting tangible personal
 2-7     property located on real property may provide for the exemption of
 2-8     tangible personal property located on the real property in each
 2-9     year covered by the agreement other than tangible personal property
2-10     that was located on the real property at any time before the period
2-11     covered by the agreement with the municipality, and other than
2-12     inventory or supplies.  In a municipality that has a comprehensive
2-13     zoning ordinance, an improvement, repair, development, or
2-14     redevelopment taking place under an agreement under this section
2-15     must conform to the comprehensive zoning ordinance.
2-16           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-17     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-18     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-19     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-20     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
                                                                S.B. No. 985
            _______________________________     _______________________________
                President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
                  I hereby certify that S.B. No. 985 passed the Senate on
            April 26, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, one
            present not voting; May 27, 2001, returned to the House for further
            consideration; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on
            May 27, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 18, Nays 0, one present
            not voting.
                                                _______________________________
                                                    Secretary of the Senate
                  I hereby certify that S.B. No. 985 passed the House, with
            amendments, on May 23, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 141,
            Nays 0, two present not voting; May 27, 2001, returned to the House
            for further consideration; and that S.B. No. 985 passed the House
            with amendment, on May 27, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 137,
            Nays 0, one present not voting.
                                                _______________________________
                                                   Chief Clerk of the House
            Approved:
            _______________________________
                         Date
            _______________________________
                       Governor