Bill: HB 1352, 85(R) - 2017

Committee

House Economic & Small Business Development

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
No Negative Neutral Neutral Negative Neutral

Author(s)

Joe Pickett

Bill Caption

Relating to the conveyance of property by a municipality for the public purpose of economic development.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 1352 would allow a municipality to transfer real property or an interest in real property for consideration to another entity. This consideration is in the form of an agreement between the parties, and requires the entity to use the property in a manner that promotes economic development. The municipality will still maintain a certain degree of control to ensure the purpose is carried out. The municipality must make the information about the property transfer public before the transfer is to occur. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Special agreements and contracts between private business entities and local government entities for economic development purposes violate our principles of free markets and limited government. It should not be the responsibility of local government to interfere in the free market by picking and choosing which companies may thrive in their jurisdiction, as this is an illustration of central planning.

Instead, local governments should focus on lowering taxes and maintaining a broad and fair tax base to create an attractive business environment. Local governments that have land for sale which they believe to be suitable for economic development should place the land on the open market and allow all prospective buyers the opportunity to make an offer on it. Due to these violations of our liberty principles, we oppose this legislation.

Source URL (retrieved on 04/18/2024 08:04 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/85r/hb1352?print_view=true