84R13268 MTB-F

By: Keffer H.B. No. 4025

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to county energy transportation reinvestment zones.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 222.1071(b), (f), (i), and (m), Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:

(b) A county, after determining that an area is affected because of oil and gas exploration and production activities and would benefit from funding under Chapter 256, by order or resolution of the commissioners court:

(1) may designate a contiguous geographic area in the jurisdiction of the county to be a county energy transportation reinvestment zone to promote one or more transportation infrastructure projects, as that term is defined by Section 256.101, located in the county [zone]; and

(2) may jointly administer a county energy transportation reinvestment zone with a contiguous county energy transportation reinvestment zone formed by another county.

(f) The order or resolution designating an area as a county energy transportation reinvestment zone must:

(1) describe the boundaries of the zone with sufficient definiteness to identify with ordinary and reasonable certainty the territory included in the zone;

(2) provide that the zone takes effect immediately on adoption of the order or resolution designating an area and that the base year shall be the year of passage of the order or resolution designating an area or some year in the future;

(3) establish an ad valorem tax increment account for the zone or provide for the establishment of a joint ad valorem tax increment account, if applicable; and

(4) if two or more counties are designating a zone for the same transportation infrastructure project or projects, include a finding that:

(A) the project or projects will benefit the property and residents located in the counties [zone];

(B) the creation of the zone will serve a public purpose of the county; and

(C) details the transportation infrastructure projects for which each county is responsible.

(i) The county may:

(1) use money in the tax increment account to provide:

(A) matching funds under Section 256.105; and

(B) funding for one or more transportation infrastructure projects located in the county [zone];

(2) apply for grants under Subchapter C, Chapter 256[, subject to Section 222.1072];

(3) use five percent of any grant distributed to the county under Subchapter C, Chapter 256, for the administration of a county energy transportation reinvestment zone, not to exceed $250,000;

(4) enter into an agreement to provide for the joint administration of county energy transportation reinvestment zones if the commissioners court of the county has designated a county energy transportation reinvestment zone under this section for the same transportation infrastructure project or projects as another county commissioners court; and

(5) pledge money in the tax increment account to a road utility district formed as provided by Subsection (n).

(m) The commissioners court of a county may enter into an agreement with the department to designate a county energy transportation reinvestment zone under this section for a specified transportation infrastructure project involving a state highway located in the county [proposed zone].

SECTION 2. Section 222.1072(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A county may create [is eligible to apply for a grant under Subchapter C, Chapter 256, if the county creates] an advisory board to advise the county on the establishment, administration, and expenditures of a county energy transportation reinvestment zone. The county commissioners court shall determine the terms and duties of the advisory board members.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.