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.