Texas House Bill HB413

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Filed: 12/15/08
• Out of House Committee: 4/16/09

Caption

Relating to the authority of certain municipalities to extend the termination date for a reinvestment zone created under the Tax Increment Financing Act.

Impact

The impact of HB 413 on state laws involves a significant shift by providing particular municipalities with enhanced powers to manage their reinvestment zones more effectively. This change could support municipalities in sustaining economic growth and revitalizing areas through prolonged investment incentives offered by TIF zones. By enabling extensions, municipalities can have tailored durations for their economic development projects based on local needs and circumstances, ultimately promoting localities to adapt to their economic situations more responsively.

Summary

House Bill 413 aims to amend the Texas Tax Code by allowing certain municipalities, specifically those with a population of 195,000 or more that serve as the county seat of a county with a population of 245,000 or less, the authority to extend the termination date of a reinvestment zone created under the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Act. The bill specifies that municipalities can adopt an ordinance to designate a new termination date for their reinvestment zone, which may extend the zone's life up to 20 years beyond its original termination date. This flexibility is intended to support local economic conditions and encourage development projects that may need longer timelines to achieve success.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 413 include potential concerns about the implications of extending a reinvestment zone's life, particularly in terms of fiscal accountability and transparency. Opponents may raise questions regarding the effectiveness of TIF zones and whether extending their life leads to meaningful economic improvements or simply prolongs the status quo without providing significant local benefits. Proponents argue that it empowers municipalities to make decisions that best suit their long-term development strategies while also enhancing the ability to attract further investments.