Texas Senate Bill SB2261

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/11/25

Caption

Relating to a restriction on the authority to disburse money paid into the tax increment fund for a tax increment financing reinvestment zone to pay certain project costs for the zone.

Impact

If enacted, SB2261 will have implications for how municipalities utilize funds from TIF zones, potentially altering the financial landscape for local redevelopment projects. By capping the disbursements, the bill aims to foster better fiscal management and prevent overspending or misallocation of resources intended for urban development projects. This could also result in greater scrutiny of the financial decisions made by local governments regarding projects funded by these taxable revenues.

Summary

Senate Bill 2261 proposes a significant amendment to the Texas Tax Code, particularly regarding the disbursement of funds from tax increment financing (TIF) reinvestment zones. The bill restricts the amount of money that can be disbursed from a tax increment fund for specific project costs to a maximum of 25 percent of the total deposits made into the fund in any given calendar year. This change is aimed at tightening financial oversight and ensuring that funds are allocated judiciously within these zones.

Contention

The bill may face opposition from local officials concerned that the new restrictions could limit their flexibility in addressing community-specific needs. Critics might argue that this could hinder projects that require immediate funds or that do not neatly fit within the prescribed guidelines. The balance between state oversight and local control will likely be a contentious issue during discussions surrounding SB2261, as municipalities will want to retain some autonomy in managing their development finances.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Tax Code

• Chapter 311. Tax Increment Financing Act
  • Section: 014