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Local bill clarifies Brazoria County authority to execute tax abatement agreements in Port Freeport district

3191420 · May 5, 2025

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Summary

House Bill 20 27 clarifies Brazoria County Commissioners Court authority to execute tax abatement agreements for leasehold interests and improvements on tax-exempt land in the Port Freeport reinvestment zone; witness from Port Freeport described it as a cleanup bill.

House Bill 20 27, presented to the Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development, refines and clarifies the Brazoria County Commissioners Court authority to execute tax abatement agreements for property within the Port Freeport district.

Sen. Swartzner laid out the local bill on behalf of its sponsor and said HB 20 27 is a cleanup to ensure H.B. 5336 passed in the prior session functions as intended. The bill clarifies the county’s authority to initiate and execute tax abatements for leasehold interests and for tangible personal property or improvements located on tax-exempt land within a reinvestment zone, Swartzner said.

Phyllis Schathoff, executive director and CEO of Port Freeport, testified as a resource witness and described the bill as a clear cleanup to add the county’s ability to execute tax abatement agreements. There was no public opposition recorded. The committee closed public testimony and left the bill pending subject to the call of the chair.