Sec. 2303.503.  STATE PREFERENCES.  (a)  A state agency shall give preference to the governing body of an enterprise zone or a qualified business or qualified employee located in an enterprise zone over other eligible applicants for grants or loans that are administered by the state agency if:
(1)  at least 50 percent of the grant or loan will be spent for the direct benefit of the enterprise zone;  and
(2)  the purpose of the grant or loan is to:
(A)  promote economic development in the community;  or
(B)  construct, improve, extend, repair, or maintain public facilities in the community.
(b)  The comptroller may and is encouraged to deposit state money in financial institutions located or doing business in enterprise zones.
(c)  A state agency may and is encouraged to contract with businesses located in enterprise zones.
(d)  The office may give preference to enterprise zones in granting economic development money or other benefits.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 8.71, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 814, Sec. 3.21, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.