88R12499 JAM-D

By: Goodwin H.J.R. No. 188

A JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment creating the workforce housing fund to facilitate the development of affordable workforce housing.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Section 68 to read as follows:

Sec. 68. (a) The workforce housing fund is created as a special fund in the state treasury. Money in the fund may be used only to provide grants and low-interest loans to municipalities for the purposes of facilitating the development of affordable workforce housing. The fund shall be administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs or that department's successor in function.

(b) The fund consists of:

(1) money appropriated to the board for a purpose of the fund;

(2) repayment of principal and interest from loans made from the fund;

(3) money the board transfers to the fund from any available source;

(4) depository interest allocable to the fund and other investment returns on money in the fund;

(5) money from gifts, grants, or donations to the fund; and

(6) any other fees or sources of revenue that the legislature may dedicate for deposit to the fund.

(c) The legislature by general law shall provide for the manner in which the assets of the workforce housing fund may be used, subject to the limitations provided by this section. The legislature by general law may provide for costs of investment of the workforce housing fund to be paid from that fund.

(d) Money in the workforce housing fund is dedicated by this constitution for purposes of Section 22, Article VIII, of this constitution.

SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023. The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment creating the workforce housing fund to facilitate the development of affordable workforce housing."