BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1278

By: Campos

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls to address the concerns of persons affected by homelessness in Texas by obtaining greater public input. H.B. 1278 seeks to address this issue by requiring the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless to hold public hearings on homelessness issues annually.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1278 amends the Government Code to remove the discretion of the Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless to hold throughout Texas public hearings on homelessness issues by requiring the council to hold such hearings annually in at least one county located in a rural area and one county located in an urban area.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.