83R2631 RWG-D
By: White H.B. No. 2355
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study comparing the business environments of Texas
and Louisiana.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter P, Chapter 481, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 481.213 to read as follows:
Sec. 481.213. STUDY COMPARING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS OF
TEXAS AND LOUISIANA. (a) The office shall conduct a study to
compare the business environment of this state with that of the
State of Louisiana. The study conducted under this section must:
(1) research and compare the laws of each state that
tend to encourage or discourage economic development or job
creation or retention, including laws that impose taxes or
regulations or that provide economic incentives, including tax
credits or exemptions, state or local subsidies, and available
grants or loans, likely to impact a business's decision to locate or
maintain operations in each state; and
(2) identify any laws of this state that may place
businesses located in this state at a competitive disadvantage with
businesses located in the State of Louisiana.
(b) Not later than January 31, 2014, the office shall submit
a written report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the
speaker of the house of representatives, and the chairs of the
standing committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over
economic development containing the findings of the study conducted
under this section and the office's recommendations.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2014, the governor, the
lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives,
and the chairs of the standing committees of the legislature with
jurisdiction over economic development shall, based on the report
received under Subsection (b), submit to the legislature written
recommendations on statutory and regulatory changes necessary to
improve the business environment of this state in a manner that
encourages more businesses to locate or maintain operations in this
state without creating wasteful subsidies.
(d) This section expires August 31, 2015.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.