Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

_________________ E CONOMIC
CONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
77 th Texas Legislature
Statewide Economic Development Unified Budget - S.B. 275
by Senator Shapleigh
House Sponsor: Representative Jim Solis
Brings certain aspects of economic development throughout the state into an integrated, unified economic
development budget.
Requires funding information on the state’s economic programs for every agency receiving such funding to
be brought together by the comptroller of public accounts in order to provide information for each regular
session of the legislature.
Powers of Local Government Corporations - S.B. 354
by Senator Lindsay
House Sponsor: Representative Coleman
Prior to 1999, legislation relating to local government corporations (LGC) primarily dealt with functions of
transportation and required LGCs to be governed by the Texas Transportation Commission (commission).
Currently, however, LGCs are not governed by the commission and are authorized to provide other
functions and services, creating confusion about the applicability of state purchasing restrictions and
procedures to LGCs.
Provides that LGCs are subject to all state laws related to the design and construction of projects, including
the procurement of design and construction services that apply to the local government that created the
corporation.
Spaceport Trust Fund - S.B. 813
by Senator Brown, et al.
House Sponsors: Representative Seaman, et al.
The Texas Aerospace Commission advocates the building of a commercial spaceport in Texas as a
private-public commercial enterprise created to launch satellites into orbit using reusable launch vehicles.
Establishes the spaceport trust fund to provide for the development of spaceport-related infrastructure.
Anticipation Notes for Rural Economic Development - S.B. 827
by Senator Duncan
House Sponsors: Representative Hawley, et al.
Authorizes rural cities and counties to issue anticipation notes to the Texas Agricultural Finance Authority.
These communities currently must issue municipal bonds to generate funds, an expensive process
requiring the Texas attorney general’s review. Allowing rural communities access to small loan amounts in
a simple and cost-effective manner will encourage economic development.
Senate Research Center 71