HBA-JLV H.B. 1215 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1215
By: Pitts
Economic Development
2/25/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Legislature implemented the Development Corporation Act of 1979
as a mechanism for cities to expand economic development in their areas.
In E-Texas: Smaller, Smarter, Faster Government, the comptroller recommends
altering the definition of a project in the Development Corporation Act of
1979 to include telecommunications infrastructure necessary to provide
broadband or similar access to the Internet.  Such a change would give
cities the opportunity to fund projects to meet their specific
telecommunications needs.  House Bill 1215 expands the definition of
"project" such that an industrial development corporation may promote the
development and expansion of telecommunications infrastructure. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1215 amends the Development Corporation Act of 1979 to expand
the definition of  "project" such that an industrial development
corporation may promote the development and expansion of telecommunications
infrastructure. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.