BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 447

By: Menendez

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law governing a defense base development authority is unclear about whether a local authority can sell, lease, or otherwise engage in financial transactions relative to real estate or property owned or controlled by the authority.  H.B. 447 clarifies existing statutes by detailing the specific actions that a defense base development authority may take regarding the authority's holdings.

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.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 447 amends the Local Government Code to expand the powers of a defense base development authority to include the power to charge for the use, lease, or sale of an open space.  The bill specifies certain services that are included in an authority's power to charge for a service provided, including the following: professional consultation services provided in relation to international trade, planning, land use, or construction; real estate development services, including an employee licensed under The Real Estate License Act acting as a broker; support or participation in the acquisition of venture capital to finance the authority's redevelopment project, both inside and outside the authority; participation in or assistance on a joint venture composed of both public and private entities; promotion of an activity that creates employment opportunities; and any other service provided in relation to a project undertaken by the authority, alone or with others, to fulfill an authority purpose or objective.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.