SRC-HRD H.B. 2252 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2252
By: Oliveira (Truan)
Finance
4-29-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Texas A&M University has built four Centers for Housing and Urban
Development (CHUD) in colonias along the U.S. - Mexico border.  These
centers help colonia residents access services provided by the government,
private industry, and nonprofit  organizations.  CHUDs  serve as "onestop"
locations for a variety of social and educational services.

H.B. 2252 would increase funding to a variety of programs that are to be
administered by Texas A&M through the Centers for Housing and Urban
Development.                                                      
PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2252 increases funding to  a variety of colonia-related
programs that are to be administered by Texas A&M through the Centers for
Housing and Urban Development.                 
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 40C, Human Resources Code, by adding Section
40.066, as follows: 

Sec. 40.066.  ACCOUNT FOR PROVISION OF SERVICES TO RESIDENTS OF COLONIA.
Requires $500,000 each fiscal year, of the federal money received by the
state for community-based services under programs operated by the
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (department), to be used
by the department for community-based colonias as specified.  Authorizes
money identified in Subsection (a) to be used only to provide
community-based services that are eligible for reimbursement from the
federal government.  Authorizes the department to contract with Texas A&M
University for use of these funds in its colonias program to provide
services eligible for federal reimbursement. Defines "colonia." 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 481B, Government Code, by adding Section
481.581, Government Code, by adding Section 481.030, as follows: 

Sec. 481.030.  ACCOUNT FOR PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS TO ASSIST RESIDENTS OF
COLONIA.  Requires $600,000, of the money received by the Department of
Commerce under the federal community development block grant program, to
be used for certain purposes.  Authorizes the Department of Housing and
Community Affairs (department), upon approval of Texas A&M University, to
contract with one or more counties to assist residents of colonias in the
Texas A&M University Colonias Program to provide eligible services
described by Subsection (b)(1) that are eligible for federal
reimbursement. Authorizes the department to contract with Texas A&M
University Colonias Program and a colonia center at the University of
Texas-Pan American to provide eligible services described by Subsections
(b)(2), (b)(3), and (b)(4), that are eligible for federal reimbursement.
Defines "colonia." 

SECTION 3. Amends Section 24.005, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding
Subsections (d), (e), and  (f), to require the Parks and Wildlife
Department (department) to grant at least $400,000 from the fund to
counties in which colonias exist to provide one-half of the costs of the
development of sports or recreational facilities in the colonias.
Authorizes a county to meet requirements for financial participation by
the use of in-kind or cash contributions.  Requires the department to
consult with the Texas A&M University Colonias Program for the use of
these funds to provide eligible services and projects to assist colonia
residents as prescribed by Subsection (d).  Defines "colonia." 

SECTION 4. Effective date for SECTIONS 1 through 3:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.