HBA-LJP H.B. 2936 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2936 By: Ehrhardt Ways & Means 3/30/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Many appraisal districts in Texas have costly information systems (systems) to aid in highly technological projects. Most software for these systems have a high commercial value which private firms may try to use for commercial ventures. If appraisal districts were able to charge a fee for the use of these systems, then the appraisal districts may be able to recoup the cost of the systems and protect the software from being used for commercial ventures without authorization. House Bill 2936 authorizes an appraisal district to enforce the protection of an idea, publication, or other original innovation fixed in specified tangible mediums and to implement a fee for the use these mediums. 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 2936 amends the Tax Code to authorize an appraisal district to apply for, register, secure, hold, and protect under the laws of the United States, any state, or any nation a patent, copyright, trademark, or other evidence of protection or exclusivity issued in or for an idea, publication, or other original innovation fixed in specified tangible mediums. The bill authorizes an appraisal district to enter into a nonexclusive license agreement with a third party for the receipt of a fee, royalty, or other binding thing of monetary or nonmonetary value and requires that monies paid to the appraisal district be deposited in the appraisal district budget. EFFECTIVE DATE January 1, 2002.