Bill

HB 2004

85(R) - 2017
House Economic & Small Business Development
Senate Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
House Economic & Small Business Development
Senate Agriculture, Water, & Rural Affairs
Agriculture
Economic Development

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Negative
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Charles Anderson

Sponsor(s)

Charles Perry

Bill Caption

Relating to the Texas economic development fund for the Department of Agriculture.

Fiscal Notes

A negative impact of ($150,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2019. The bill will result in an equivalent gain to General Revenue-Dedicated Fund 183.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

Under current law, money in the Texas economic development fund may be appropriated to the establishment, administering, implementation, and maintenance of one or more of the Department of Agriculture’s economic development programs. HB 2004 would instead dedicate the funds to the continuing, administering, implementation, and maintenance of existing economic development funds; the furtherance of the department’s duties through the solicitation of gifts, grants, and donations; programs designed to encourage agricultural exports; and rural development programs established in agreement with another entity.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill would infringe on the principles of limited government and the free market by allowing the Department of Agriculture’s economic development fund to be used in more ways, including to continue economic development programs it did not previously support. Because this bill increases market distortions by extending state economic development programs, we oppose HB 2004.

As it appears in the Senate, HB 2004 includes limitations on the use of money from the economic development fund. Although this provision is an improvement, our position remains unchanged as this bill perpetuates an already bad program.

Organizations Supporting

Texas Water Infrastructure Network