BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2772

By: Martinez, "Mando"

Economic & Small Business Development

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that while some development corporations may lease and sell, by installment contract or otherwise, all or any part of certain development projects to support manufacturing and industrial development, these corporations may not own or operate a project as a business, except for closed or realigned military facilities. The parties explain that the authorization for certain corporations created by border area municipalities to undertake projects that promote new or expanded business enterprises through various transportation facilities would be beneficial.  H.B. 2772 seeks to address this issue.

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. 2772 amends the Local Government Code to expand the definition of "project," for purposes of airport facilities or other projects by a development corporation authorized by a municipality any part of which is located within 25 miles of an international border under the Development Corporation Act, to include the land, buildings, facilities, infrastructure, and improvements that the development corporation's board of directors finds are required or suitable for the promotion of new or expanded business enterprises through transportation facilities including airports, hangars, railports, rail switching facilities, maintenance and repair facilities, cargo facilities, marine ports, inland ports, mass commuting facilities, parking facilities, and related infrastructure located on or adjacent to an airport or railport facility. The bill grants a corporation under the act all the powers necessary to own and operate a project as a business if the project for those same purposes is authorized.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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