BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1659
79R4763 CLG-D By: Chavez (Lucio)
S/C on Emerging Technologies & Economic Development
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the State Enterprise Zone Expansion Program is limited to certain predefined limited geographical areas that are certified by census demographic information. H.B. 1659 amends the State Enterprise Zone Program to allow for businesses within economically distressed counties to be nominated for a sales tax refund if certain provisions are met. The bill allows cities within economically distressed counties to nominate enterprise zone projects within their entire geographical area. Economically distressed counties will be determined according to census statistics on poverty, educational attainment, and unemployment as currently designated by the comptroller of public accounts. The expansion of this program would give economically disadvantaged communities greater flexibility in the utilization of this economic development tool.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 2303.003, Government Code, by adding Subdivision (1-c), to define "distressed county."
SECTION 2. Amends Section 2303.051, Government Code, by adding Subsection (a-2), to require the bank to compile annually data identifying the distressed counties in this state that automatically qualify for designation as enterprise zones under this chapter.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 2303.101, Government Code, to provide that an area automatically qualifies for designation as an enterprise zone if the area is an area located in a distressed county.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 2303.109(a), Government Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 2303.405(f), Government Code, to make a conforming change.
SECTION 6. Amends Section 2303.406(b), Government Code, to require the bank to make its designation decisions using a certain weighted scale in which certain amounts have been amended.
SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 2005.