Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2888 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	87R5505 MWC-D
2	2	By: Lopez H.B. No. 2888
3	3
4	4
5	5	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	6	AN ACT
7	7	relating to the establishment of the economic inclusion and
8	8	diversification task force.
9	9	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
10	10	SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
11	11	(1) "Economic development incentive" means a monetary
12	12	incentive or tax incentive, as those terms are defined by Section
13	13	490G.001, Government Code.
14	14	(2) "Task force" means the economic inclusion and
15	15	diversification task force established under this Act.
16	16	SECTION 2. TASK FORCE. (a) The economic inclusion and
17	17	diversification task force is established to study the use and
18	18	effectiveness of economic development incentives awarded to
19	19	businesses by this state and to offer recommendations on how this
20	20	state can award economic development incentives in a more effective
21	21	manner to ensure economic diversification, inclusive development,
22	22	and investment in the residents and communities of this state.
23	23	(b) The task force is composed of nine members as follows:
24	24	(1) the chair of the senate natural resources and
25	25	economic development committee;
26	26	(2) the chair of the house international relations and
27	27	economic development committee; and
28	28	(3) the following members appointed by the governor:
29	29	(A) four representatives of business and
30	30	industry, including one member who is a representative of small
31	31	businesses;
32	32	(B) two members who are economic development
33	33	practitioners; and
34	34	(C) an economist from an institution of higher
35	35	education.
36	36	(c) In making appointments to the task force, the governor
37	37	shall attempt to appoint persons who represent the gender
38	38	composition, minority populations, and geographic regions of this
39	39	state.
40	40	(d) A task force member is not entitled to compensation for
41	41	service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for
42	42	actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing task force
43	43	duties.
44	44	(e) The members of the task force shall elect a presiding
45	45	officer from among the membership.
46	46	(f) The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the call
47	47	of the presiding officer.
48	48	(g) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or any
49	49	other law, the task force may meet by telephone conference call,
50	50	videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method. A
51	51	meeting held by telephone conference call, videoconference, or
52	52	other similar telecommunication method is subject to the
53	53	requirements of Sections 551.125(c), (d), (e), and (f), Government
54	54	Code.
55	55	SECTION 3. DUTIES OF TASK FORCE. The task force shall:
56	56	(1) study and make recommendations on whether in the
57	57	next two fiscal bienniums, this state should prioritize the
58	58	awarding of economic development incentives to:
59	59	(A) Texas-based businesses seeking to expand
60	60	their operations within the state;
61	61	(B) out-of-state businesses that bring value to
62	62	statewide industry supply chains and want to relocate to this
63	63	state;
64	64	(C) businesses making investments in upskilling
65	65	their workforce;
66	66	(D) businesses in new industries; or
67	67	(E) businesses making investments in new
68	68	technologies;
69	69	(2) evaluate statewide industry supply chains for
70	70	potential areas of investment;
71	71	(3) develop a plan to support business enterprises
72	72	located in this state by awarding incentives for investing in the
73	73	technical support and workforce training needed to scale their
74	74	enterprises and potentially reach global markets; and
75	75	(4) reach out to universities and junior colleges,
76	76	including junior colleges in rural areas of this state, to
77	77	encourage their collaboration with businesses in their community
78	78	for economic development and diversification purposes.
79	79	SECTION 4. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2022, the
80	80	task force shall prepare and submit a written report on the results
81	81	of the study and recommendations of the task force to the governor,
82	82	lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and
83	83	presiding officer of each standing committee of the senate and the
84	84	house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over state
85	85	finance matters.
86	86	SECTION 5. ABOLISHMENT OF TASK FORCE; EXPIRATION OF ACT.
87	87	The task force is abolished and this Act expires September 1, 2023.
88	88	SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
89	89	immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
90	90	elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
91	91	Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
92	92	immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.