BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

H.B. 2515

By: Muņoz, Jr.

International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

United States foreign trade zones are usually located in areas with geographic trade advantages, such as major seaports, international airports, and national frontiers. Interested parties note that these zones, in addition to potentially being eligible for state and local tax benefits, can be used for the unloading, manufacturing, reassembling, testing, sampling, processing, repackaging, and reexporting of certain goods without the intervention of U.S. customs authorities. These parties assert that, because of the large amount of traffic traveling between the United States and Mexico through the Pharr International Bridge, the City of Pharr is a prime area for the establishment of a foreign trade zone.

 

H.B. 2515, through such an establishment, seeks to promote the international competitiveness of U.S.-based businesses, expedite international trade, retain and create jobs, and encourage investment, manufacturing, and logistics within the United States. 

 

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. 2515 amends the Business & Commerce Code to authorize the City of Pharr, or a corporation organized under Texas law and designated by the City of Pharr, to apply for and accept a grant of authority to establish, operate, and maintain a foreign trade zone at or adjacent to the Pharr port of entry and to apply for and accept a grant of authority to establish, operate, and maintain other subzones.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.