C.S.H.B. 667 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 667
By: Puente
Economic Development
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Toyota recently selected San Antonio as the site of its new North American
facility.  One of Toyota's requirements was that the site offer rail
access.  However, the site selected by Toyota does not have rail access.
CSHB 667 authorizes the Texas Department of Economic Development to grant
$15 million from the Smart Jobs Fund for business location incentives,
such as the construction of a rail line. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly
granted to the Texas Department of Economic Development in SECTION 2 (a)
of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

CSHB 667 authorizes the Texas Department of Economic Development to grant
$15 million during the fiscal year ending August 31, 2003, from Smart Jobs
Fund No. 891. 

CSHB 667 appropriates the unexpended balance of funds remaining in Smart
Jobs Fund No. 891 at the end of the fiscal year ending August 31, 2003 to
the Texas Department of Economic Development for business location
incentives for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2003. 

CSHB 667 authorizes the Texas Department of Economic Development to adopt
rules to implement this Act. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

CSHB 667 modifies the original by adding Section 2 (a), which grants the
Texas Department of Economic Development rulemaking authority for the
purpose of implementing this act, and making conforming changes.