EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — State Rep. Vince Perez, D-El Paso, filed 15 bills Monday that would change how Texas and local governments offer incentives to data centers, regulate civil detention facilities and fund schools and community colleges.
The proposals include a bill requiring new public votes before additional phases of large local tax incentive agreements, and another that would repeal Texas’ sales tax exemption for data centers. The bills were filed on the first day of pre-filing for the 90th Legislature, which convenes Jan. 12.
One proposal, House Bill 729, would cap local property tax incentives at 10 years and require a city council or commissioners court to approve each new phase in a public vote after construction begins. It would not cancel work already underway, according to Perez’s office…