S.B. 1143 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 1143 By: Madla Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, Texas law allows only for growth within previously established defense readjustment zone (zone) boundaries. Once the zone reaches its maximum size it cannot be redrawn; the law prohibits any alteration of the zone that excludes any original area of the zone. This excludes new businesses that may be eligible for inclusion in the zone, but whose inclusion into the zone would necessitate boundary adjustments that violate current law. S.B. 1143 prohibits the exclusion of any qualified business designated as a defense readjustment project, rather than prohibiting the exclusion of any original zone area. This bill also authorizes the Texas Department of Economic Development to designate the same qualified business in a readjustment zone as more than one defense readjustment project. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Government Code to prohibit the amended boundary of a defense economic readjustment zone from excluding any qualified business designated as a defense readjustment project, rather than the original area, included within the boundary of the zone as designated. SECTION 2. Amends Government Code to authorize the Texas Department of Economic Development to designate the same qualified business in a readjustment zone as more than one defense readjustment project. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, unless it receives the votes necessary for immediate effect.