Bill Text: TX HB1156 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the establishment of an electronic information and application system for state and local incentives for economic development purposes.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-19 - Left pending in committee [HB1156 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-HB1156-Introduced.html

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84R5009 CLG-D
By: Alvarado H.B. No. 1156

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of an electronic information and
application system for state and local incentives for economic
development purposes.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle G, Title 10, Government Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 2301 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 2301. ELECTRONIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION SYSTEM
Sec. 2301.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Department," "electronic government project,"
"local government," and "state electronic Internet portal" have the
meanings assigned by Section 2054.003.
(2) "Monetary incentive" means a grant, loan, or other
form of monetary incentive paid from state or local government
revenues that a business entity may receive in exchange for or as a
result of conducting an activity with an economic development
purpose.
(3) "State agency" means a department, commission,
board, office, council, authority, or other state agency in the
executive branch of state government.
(4) "Tax incentive" means any exemption, deduction,
credit, exclusion, waiver, rebate, discount, deferral, or other
abatement or reduction of state or local government tax liability
of a business entity that the business entity may receive in
exchange for or as a result of conducting an activity with an
economic development purpose.
Sec. 2301.002. ESTABLISHMENT OF PROJECT. The department
shall establish an electronic government project to develop an
Internet website accessible through the state electronic Internet
portal that:
(1) provides a single location that a business entity
considering relocating to or expanding in this state may use to
receive information relating to state and local government monetary
and tax incentives for which the entity may be qualified;
(2) includes an interactive tool that allows a
business entity to:
(A) determine whether the entity may be eligible
for any state or local government monetary or tax incentive in this
state; and
(B) receive an estimate of the state and local
government monetary and tax incentives for which the entity may be
eligible;
(3) allows, when feasible, the business entity to fill
out one application for all state and local government monetary and
tax incentives for which the entity may be eligible; and
(4) allows, when feasible, for the application to be
submitted to each state agency or local government that offers the
monetary or tax incentive for which the business entity may be
eligible.
Sec. 2301.003. ESTABLISHING AND OPERATING PROJECT;
COORDINATION. In establishing and operating the electronic
government project under this chapter, the department, in
coordination with the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office
and the comptroller, and with the assistance of officials of local
governments, shall direct, coordinate, and assist state agencies
and local governments in establishing and using:
(1) a common electronic application and reporting
system, including:
(A) a standard format for announcing monetary and
tax incentive opportunities;
(B) standard data elements for use in creating
monetary and tax incentive opportunity announcement summaries,
including existing monetary and tax incentives and search
functions; and
(C) a common application form for a person to use
in applying for a monetary or tax incentive from multiple state
agencies and local governments; and
(2) a process for:
(A) improving interagency and intergovernmental
coordination of information collection and sharing of data relating
to monetary and tax incentives; and
(B) improving the timeliness, completeness, and
quality of applications received by a state agency or local
government for monetary and tax incentives.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.