SRC-HRD S.B. 951 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 951
By: Ellis
Intergovernmental Relations
3-27-97
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST 

Recently, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
(department) has begun to offer ancillary social services-known as "tenant
services"-as part of the department's work with its clients.  Tenant
services are similar to services, such as child care, transportation and
adult basic education, that public assistance clients receive to help them
become self-sufficient.   

Some families who receive tenant services through the department may
already receive similar services from other agencies, including the Texas
Workforce Commission and the Department of Health.  It is believed that
increased coordination of tenant services among state agency providers
could help Texas service more people with the state's limited federal
funds.  In addition, if state agencies tracked the type and value of
services provided, Texas could draw down more matching federal funds
available for those services.  For instance, Texas' share of matching
funds for child care is nearly $60 million.  Yet, Texas currently draws
down a fraction of those funds. 

This bill would require the department to coordinate its tenant services
programs with similar programs at other state agencies in order to qualify
for additional federal matching funds and to serve more clients.
Furthermore, S.B. 951 would direct the department to prepare a report to
the next regular session of the legislature regarding the results of the
department's efforts.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 951 requires the Texas Department of Housing and
Community Affairs to structure the requirements for the provision of
tenant services so that tenant services provided through housing programs
are coordinated with similar services provided through state workforce
development and welfare programs.  In addition, this bill requires the
department to emphasize tenant services that are eligible for additional
federal matching funds through workforce development or welfare-related
programs. 

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 2306K, Government Code, by adding Section
2306.253, as follows: 

Sec. 2306.253.  TENANT SERVICES PROGRAM.  Defines "tenant services."
Requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs
(department) to structure the requirements for the provision of tenant
services so that tenant services provided through housing programs are
coordinated with similar services provided through state workforce
development and welfare programs.  Requires the department to emphasize
tenant services that are eligible for additional federal matching funds
through workforce development or welfare-related programs.  Requires the
department to designate a department employee as the tenant services
program coordinator.  Requires the coordinator to serve as a liaison to
the Texas Workforce Commission, the Department of Human Services, the
Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, and the Legislative
Budget Board on matters relating to the coordination of tenant services
programs.  Requires the coordinator to meet in Austin at least quarterly
with representatives of certain agencies for certain purposes.  Requires
the  department, not later than December 1 preceding a regular session of
the legislature, to file with the appropriate state agencies and
legislative committees a report discussing the results of the department's
program under this section. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Page 1, line 9, strike the word "public."