LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE 74th Regular Session April 11, 1995 TO: Honorable Carlos F. Truan, Chair IN RE: Senate BillNo. 1509 Committee on International Relations, By: Zaffirini Trade & Technology Senate Austin, Texas FROM: John Keel, Director In response to your request for a Fiscal Note on Senate Bill No. 1509 (relating to the establishment of colonia self-help centers in certain counties) this office has determined the following: The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill. The bill would amend Chapter 2306 of the Government Code by adding a subchapter which would require the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to establish self-help centers for the colonias in Cameron, El Paso, Hidalgo, Starr, Webb, and any other county that is eligible to receive Economically Distressed Areas Program (EDAP) funds from the Texas Water Development Board. Any county receiving funds from the TDHCA for self-help centers would be required to provide matching funds at a level determined by the Department. Self-help centers would assist low income individuals and families with home ownership. TDHCA would be required to establish an office in the Department to oversee and assist in the operation of the self-help centers, and to assign staff who would be responsible for obtaining funding to enable self-help centers to offer low-interest mortgage financing, grants for self-help programs, a revolving loan fund for septic tanks, and a tool lending program. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs could implement this program using current sources of revenue, such as the federal Community Development Block Grant Program. No significant fiscal implication to the State or units of local government is anticipated. Source: Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, LBB Staff: JK, PVT, RR