BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 271

81R1088 CLG-D                                                                          By: Ortiz, Jr. et al. (Van de Putte)

                                                                                                                      Economic Development

                                                                                                                                            4/30/2009

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Texas Enterprise Zone programs allow local communities to partner with the state to promote job creation and investments in economically distressed areas of the state.  Businesses that are designated as enterprise projects are eligible to apply for refunds of state sales taxes on qualified expenditures. 

 

Currently, cities and counties with a population of 250,000 or more are eligible for up to six enterprise zone projects in a biennium, while those with less than 250,000 are eligible for up to four projects, plus two additional bonus projects. 

 

H.B. 271 increases the number of enterprise projects that may be designated per biennium. 

 

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.  Amends Section 2303.406(d), Government Code, to provide that the maximum number of enterprise projects that the bank is authorized to designate for each nominating body during any biennium is six, if the nominating body is the governing body of a municipality or county with a population of less than 250,000, or nine, if the nominating body is the governing body of a municipality or county with a population of 250,000 or more.  Deletes existing text providing that the maximum number of enterprise projects that the bank is authorized to designate for each nominating body during any biennium is four, plus two additional bonus projects the bank may award in a municipality or county with a population of less than 250,000 or six, if the nominating body is the governing body of a municipality or county with a population of 250,000 or more.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2009.