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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a requirement that the comptroller perform a study of |
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the Texas Economic Development Act. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. STUDY OF TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT. (a) |
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The comptroller of public accounts shall conduct a study of the |
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Texas Economic Development Act. The purpose of the study is to |
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determine: |
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(1) if the Act, as implemented: |
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(A) accomplishes the intended purposes of the |
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Act, as stated in Section 313.003, Tax Code; and |
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(B) complies with the intent of the legislature |
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in enacting the Act, as expressed in Section 313.004, Tax Code; and |
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(2) if legislative action is needed to increase the |
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efficiency or effectiveness of any part of the Act. |
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(b) In the study, the comptroller shall conduct an in-depth |
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review of the cumulative economic effect in this state of at least |
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three agreements entered into under Chapter 313, Tax Code, during |
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the two years preceding the effective date of this Act. For each |
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agreement, the comptroller must determine: |
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(1) if the terms of the agreement were executed in a |
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manner that complies with Sections 313.003 and 313.004, Tax Code; |
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and |
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(2) what changes to Chapter 313, Tax Code, if any, |
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would have increased the effectiveness and efficiency of the |
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administration of the agreement. |
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(c) The comptroller may require a party to an agreement |
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under Chapter 313, Tax Code, to submit information to complete the |
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study required by this Act. |
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(d) At the comptroller's request, the state auditor shall |
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assist the comptroller in conducting the study required by this |
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Act. |
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SECTION 2. REPORT. (a) Not later than December 1, 2014, |
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the comptroller shall submit a report of the results of the study to |
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the governor and the legislature. |
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(b) The report must include a complete discussion of each |
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agreement reviewed by the comptroller, and must also include the |
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comptroller's recommendations, based on the study's findings, of |
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ways to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of agreements |
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entered into under Chapter 313, Tax Code. |
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(c) If the report recommends amending a provision of Chapter |
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313, Tax Code, the comptroller shall include proposed legislation |
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necessary to implement the suggested amendment. |
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(d) The report may not include information that is |
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confidential by law. |
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SECTION 3. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires January 1, |
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2015. |
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SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |