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.