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.