It was a government incentive unlike any other. Chapter 313 tax incentives were credited with bringing billions of dollars in business investments to Texas. Tesla, Samsung and Toyota built massive manufacturing plants thanks to tax abatements from the local school districts, a key provision in Chapter 313 legislation. Some saw it as free money for business, others thought it was a needed measure to attract business. But it went away. It had a sunset date of December 31, 2022.

Pressure to reintroduce the measure, exerted by the business and investment community, has been intense. As a result, tax incentives resembling those in Chapter 313 are back on the floor of the Texas State House under a new act called The Texas Jobs and Security Act, or House Bill 5 (HB5).

Although the contents of HB5 are not fully known, most political observers think it will return in some shape or form and Texas Governor Greg Abbott has promised to sign it.