SRC-TJG S.B. 15 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 15
By: Madla
Finance
2/17/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, in an effort to re-employ former defense workers, San Antonio
has focused on attracting Toyota.  Toyota insisted on locating a site that
offered competitive rail access; however, the site under consideration by
Toyota does not offer such access.  As proposed, S.B. 15 would authorize
the Texas Department of Economic Development to grant $15 million from the
Smart Jobs Fund Account for the construction of a secondary rail line. 

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.  LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS.  Provides that the legislature finds
that the use of public funds for certain purposes relating to business
location incentives is in the public interest and serves a public purpose
of the state. 

SECTION 2.  BUSINESS LOCATION INCENTIVES.  (a) Provides that from the
amounts appropriated by Chapter 1515, Acts of the 77th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2001 (the General Appropriations Act), from Smart Jobs
Fund No. 891 to the Texas Department of Economic Development (TDED) in
connection with the smart jobs program, TDED is authorized to expend the
unencumbered amount of $15,000,000 during the remainder of the fiscal year
ending August 31, 2003, for business location incentives.  

(b) Provides that the unexpended balance of funds described by Subsection
(a) of this section remaining at the end of the fiscal year ending August
31, 2003, is appropriated from Smart Jobs Fund No. 891 to TDED for the
fiscal year beginning September 1, 2003, for business location incentives. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.