Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

_________________ E CONOMIC
CONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
77 th Texas Legislature
Moratorium Adoption Procedures for Municipalities - S.B. 980
by Senator Carona
House Sponsor: Representative Walker
Municipalities are not required to hold public hearings and provide notice before adopting a moratorium
ordinance. This can cause uncertainty and potential hardship for property developers.
Requires a municipality, before a moratorium on property development is authorized to be imposed, to
conduct public hearings.
Economic Incentives and Horse Racing - S.B. 1096
by Senator Cain, et al.
House Sponsor: Representative Brimer
Provides a funding mechanism for a race track awarded the Breeders’ Cup horse race to recover costs
associated in connection with bringing the race to Texas.
Authorizes an association conducting the Breeders’ Cup races to apply for the reimbursement of certain
costs during the year in which the association hosts the races, limited to an amount equal to the lesser of
the aggregate amount contributed to pay Breeders’ Cup costs by political subdivisions and development
organizations or $2 million.
Requires the Texas Racing Commission to make disbursements from the Breeders’ Cup Development
Account to reimburse Breeders’ Cup costs actually incurred and paid by the association, after a request
has been filed by the association.
Establishing the Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program - H.B. 892
by Representatives Swinford and Green
Senate Sponsor: Senator Duncan
The growth of the Texas wine industry has had a positive impact on the Texas economy and although the
state is a significant consumer of wine, demand is not being supplied by Texas wineries. H.B. 892
establishes the Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program to assist the Texas wine industry promote and
market its wines. The bill also contains provisions for the direct shipment of wine and for local option
elections.
Requires the Texas Wine Marketing Assistance Program to:
• organize a network of package stores to participate in promoting Texas wines and to deliver wine
to consumers;
• develop and maintain a database of Texas wineries and package stores;
• operate a toll-free telephone number to receive inquiries from persons wishing to purchase
particular Texas wines and to disseminate information about Texas wineries and wine;
• use market research to develop a Texas wine industry marketing plan; and
• educate the public about Texas wines.
With regard to the sale and shipment of wine in Texas by a purchaser at a winery, the bill:
Senate Research Center 72