BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1701

By: Villalba

Economic & Small Business Development

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

According to interested parties, the current deadline for the lieutenant governor or the speaker of the house of representatives to approve or deny the proposed award of a grant from the Texas Enterprise Fund often creates a needlessly long delay in acting on such a proposal, placing the state at a competitive disadvantage in attracting businesses to the state because surrounding states can oftentimes approve similar funds in a more expedient manner. In order to provide the state with a more competitive tool in attracting new business, H.B. 1701 seeks to amend the applicable law.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1701 amends the Government Code to change the deadline by which the lieutenant governor or the speaker of the house of representatives must approve a proposal by the governor to award a grant of money from the Texas Enterprise Fund from before the 91st day after the date of receipt of the governor's proposal to before the 31st day after the date of receipt of the governor's proposal.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.