CHAPTER 379. NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPACT ZONE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE
TITLE 12. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
SUBTITLE A. MUNICIPAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
CHAPTER 379. NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT IMPACT ZONE
Sec. 379.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "zone" means a North
American Free Trade Agreement impact zone created by a
municipality under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1150, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
Sec. 379.002. CREATION OF ZONE. A municipality may create a
zone covering a part of the municipality if the municipality
determines the creation of the zone would promote:
(1) business opportunities for local businesses in the zone;
(2) an increase in economic development in the zone; or
(3) employment opportunities for residents of the zone.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1150, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
Sec. 379.003. ADOPTION OF ZONE. (a) A municipality may create
a zone if the governing body of the municipality adopts a
resolution containing:
(1) the determination described by Section 379.002;
(2) a description of the boundaries of the zone; and
(3) a finding by the governing body that the creation of the
zone satisfies the requirements of Section 312.202, Tax Code.
(b) A municipality may create more than one zone and may include
an area in more than one zone.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1150, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
Sec. 379.004. ADDITIONAL POWERS. A municipality may:
(1) waive or adopt fees related to the construction of buildings
in the zone, including fees related to the inspection of
buildings and impact fees;
(2) enter into agreements, for a period of not more than 10
years, for the purpose of benefiting the zone, for sales tax
refunds or abatements of municipal sales tax on sales made in the
zone;
(3) enter into agreements abating municipal property taxes on
property in the zone subject to the duration limits of Section
312.204, Tax Code; and
(4) set baseline performance standards, such as the Energy Star
Program as developed by the Department of Energy, to encourage
the use of alternative building materials that address concerns
relating to the environment or to building costs, maintenance, or
energy consumption.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1150, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.
Sec. 379.005. NAFTA DISPLACED WORKERS. (a) A business that
operates in a zone and receives benefits as a result of a
municipality's action under Section 379.004(1), (2), or (3) shall
make a good faith effort to hire individuals receiving NAFTA
transitional adjustment assistance under 19 U.S.C. Section 2331.
(b) A business described by Subsection (a) shall annually report
to the governing body of the municipality on what percentage of
the total number of individuals hired by the business during the
year covered by the report is comprised of individuals described
by Subsection (a).
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1150, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,
2001.