SRC-TJG H.B. 655 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 655 78R4105 MXM-FBy: Menendez (Madla) Administration 5/3/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, Texas law requires neighborhood empowerment zones and enterprise zones owned by a political subdivision of the state to be sold through a sealed bid process open to the public. This could prevent a political subdivision from marketing or developing the land as efficiently as possible. H.B. 655 exempts neighborhood empowerment and enterprise zones from the above requirement, allowing the political subdivision to negotiate independently with potential buyers. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 272.001(b), Local Government Code, to include in the application of this subsection, a property interest owned by a defense base development authority established under Chapter 378 (Neighborhood Empowerment Zone), Local Government Code, as added by Chapter 1221, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.