AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In recent months, various pieces of legislation have been proposed and/or passed in other states limiting the manufacture or sale of firearms and firearm accessories. Texas remains a state open to business, committed to free market principles, and supportive of its citizens' constitutional rights. As such, Texas would welcome these companies that are apparently unwelcome in other states.
S.B. 1467 directs the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office within the executive branch to facilitate the location, relocation, and/or expansion of manufacturers of firearms, firearms accessories, and ammunition, either foreign or domestic, to the State of Texas.
As proposed, S.B. 1467 amends current law relating to economic development incentives for firearms manufacturers, firearms accessory manufacturers, and ammunition manufacturers.
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 Chapter 481, Government Code, by adding Section 481.0297, as follows:
Sec. 481.0297. FIREARM AND AMMUNITION MANUFACTURERS. (a) Requires the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office (EDT) to facilitate the location, expansion, and retention of firearms manufacturers, firearms accessory manufacturers, and ammunition manufacturers to the state, including:
(1) identifying domestic and international firearms manufacturers, firearms accessory manufacturers, and ammunition manufacturers interested in expanding or relocating to the state; and
(2) issuing requests for proposals for the location, relocation, or expansion of firearms manufacturers, firearms accessory manufacturers, and ammunition manufacturers to the state.
(b) Requires EDT, upon receipt of proposals under Subsection (a), to negotiate on behalf of the state the issuance of funds provided by Section 481.078 (Texas Enterprise Fund), franchise tax exemptions, sales tax exemptions, and other incentives as provided by this chapter (Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office) or other provisions of the law commensurate with the size and scope of the proposed project.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.