BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3126

By: Herrero

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, a county commissioners court has the authority to develop an economic development program to help stimulate business and commercial activity in the county. However, it has been suggested that ambiguity exists in applicable state law that has led to an interpretation by some that these programs can only benefit unincorporated areas of a county, preventing small towns within a county from realizing the benefits of these programs. H.B. 3126 seeks to ensure that incorporated areas of a county can also benefit from an economic development program developed by a county commissioners court.

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. 3126 amends the Local Government Code to clarify that, for purposes of community and economic development programs developed by a county commissioners court to stimulate business and commercial activity in the county, the areas of the county in which that business and activity is to be stimulated include the incorporated areas of the county.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.