Honorable Angie Chen Button, Chair, House Committee on Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB112 by Button (Relating to the creation and operation of a science park district in certain counties that may impose assessments, fees, and taxes.), As Introduced
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB112, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($766,300) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027.
The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.
General Revenue-Related Funds, Five- Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds
2026
($386,628)
2027
($379,672)
2028
($386,628)
2029
($379,672)
2030
($386,628)
All Funds, Five-Year Impact:
Fiscal Year
Probable Savings/(Cost) from General Revenue Fund 1
Change in Number of State Employees from FY 2025
2026
($386,628)
2.0
2027
($379,672)
2.0
2028
($386,628)
2.0
2029
($379,672)
2.0
2030
($386,628)
2.0
Fiscal Analysis
The bill would amend the Local Government Code to allow for certain areas to petition the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office within the Office of the Governor (OOG) in order to create a science park district (district). The district would be governed by a board of nine elected directors. The bill would allow the district to impose an ad valorem tax on property in the district according to certain criteria if approved by a majority of voters in a special election. The bill would allow the district to issue bonds to cover all or part of the cost of any project serving a district purpose.
Methodology
It is anticipated the OOG would need 2 additional FTEs to administer and monitor the program (1 General Counsel III and 1 Program Specialist VI). The total estimate for FTE-related costs, including travel and various other operating costs, is anticipated to be $766,300 for the 2026-27 biennium.
Technology
No technology impact is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
The fiscal implications of the bill to the district cannot be determined due to the circumstances relating to the district's issuance of bonds or imposition of assessments, fees, and taxes being unknown. No fiscal implication to other units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
300 Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor, 352 Bond Review Board