SRC-TNM C.S.S.B. 1810 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1810 By: Barrientos Intergovernmental Relations 4-10-97 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs does not administer a program which combines low income housing with job training skills targeting at-risk youth. S.B. 1810 seeks to establish the Texas Youthworks Grant Program in the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) and sets forth requirements for grant recipients and participants. The program, modeled after the national Youthbuild Program, would combine the goals of constructing energy-efficient affordable housing, community service projects, attainment of a high school diploma or its equivalent, and providing job training for economically and educationally disadvantaged youth. Participants would gain valuable hands-on experience and marketable skills constructing stateapproved affordable housing while working toward a high school diploma or equivalent and receiving career and leadership counseling services. C.S.S.B. 1810 would encourage certain state agencies to seek ways to utilize the program using existing resources. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1810 outlines provisions regarding the creation, operation, and funding of the Texas Youthworks Program. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the board of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs under SECTION 1 (Section 2306.623, Government Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 2306, Government Code, by adding Subchapter BB, as follows: SUBCHAPTER BB. TEXAS YOUTHWORKS PROGRAM Sec. 2306.621. DEFINITION. Defines "sustainable construction or rehabilitation." Sec. 2306.622. TEXAS YOUTHWORKS PROGRAM. Provides that the Texas Youthworks Program is created in the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (department) to promote economic self-sufficiency of disadvantaged or at-risk youth by providing the youth with opportunities to acquire job skills while performing community service, create opportunities for communities to restore abandoned properties and historic areas, enhance public places, and increase the availability of affordable, energy-efficient housing for low-income individuals and families. Requires the department to administer the program and authorizes the department to employ personnel as necessary to administer the program. Sec. 2306.623. RULES. Requires the board of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (board), to adopt rules as necessary to implement the program, including rules for auditing and accountability. Sec. 2306.624. FUNDING. Provides that the program is funded by appropriations from the legislature and other available money identified by the department or other state agencies. Authorizes the department to accept gifts, grants, and other donations for operation of the program. Sec. 2306.625. GRANTS. Authorizes the executive director of the department (director) to award grants under the program to eligible entities for projects that meet the requirements of this subchapter. Sec. 2306.626. ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS. Sets forth instances in which an organization is eligible to receive a grant. Sets forth required characteristics of a participant in addition to the requirements of Subsection (a). Provides that the department may authorize an entity to provide services to a participant who does not meet the requirements of Subsections (a) and (b). Sec. 2306.627. SERVICES TO PARTICIPANTS. Requires a project for which a grant is received under the program to provide a participant with certain skills. Provides that a stipend provided under Subsection (a)(5) does not count as income for purposes of determining the eligibility of the participant or the participant's household for any form of public assistance. Sec. 2306.628. COMMUNITY BENEFIT. Requires a project for which a grant is received under the program to provide at least one of certain services to a community in which the project is located. Sec. 2306.629. ADVISORY BOARD; PARTICIPANT COUNCIL. requires an entity that is awarded a grant for a project under the program is required to establish an advisory board and a participant council. Sec. 2306.630. GRANT APPLICATION. Sets forth entities authorized to apply to receive a grant for an eligible project under this subchapter, subject to Subsection (b). Requires an applicant to demonstrate that the applicant has at least three years of successful experience operating programs that benefit disadvantaged or at-risk youth to be eligible to receive a grant. Requires a grant application to be filed with the department in a form prescribed by the director. Sets forth items required to be included in an application. Sets forth certain applicants to which the director shall give preference to in awarding a grant under the program. Sec. 2306.631. OTHER FUNDING SOURCES REQUIRED. Prohibits the department from providing more than 75 percent of the money budgeted for a project. Sec. 2306.632. LIMIT ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE. Provides that not more than 15 percent of the money awarded under the program for a project may be used for administrative costs associated with the project. Sec. 2306.633. ANNUAL REPORT. Requires the director to report to the governor and the legislature at the end of each fiscal year on the status of the program. Sets forth information the annual report is required to include for that fiscal year. SECTION 2. (a) Provides that a work group is established to assist the department in implementing and promoting the Texas Youthworks Program created by Section 2306.622, Government Code, as added by this Act. Requires the work group to identify all available state and federal sources of funding for the program and identify appropriate state programs, services, or activities that could be delivered by referring eligible individuals to the program. (b) Sets forth the composition of the work group. (c) Provides that a work group member designated by a chief administrative officer serves at the will of the designating officer. (d) Requires the work group members to elect a presiding officer and any other necessary officers for the work group. (e) Requires the work group to meet at the call of the presiding officer. (f) Provides that a work group member receives no compensation for serving on the work group. (g) Provides that the work group is not subject to Article 6252-33, V.T.C.S. (h) Requires the work group to be formed and to hold its first meeting not later than November 1, 1997. (i) Requires the work group to complete the tasks specified in Subsection (a) of this section; and submit a report to the legislature containing the work group's findings and recommendations for funding and utilizing the program not later than November 15, 1998. (j) Provides that the work group dissolves and this section expires September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Provides that if, before implementing any provision of this Act, a state agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation, the state agency shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 5. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 2306, Government Code, by adding Subchapter BB, regarding the Texas Youthworks Program. Amends Section 2306.621, to define "sustainable construction or rehabilitation." Amends Section 2306.622, regarding the Texas Youthworks Program. Amends Section 2306.623, regarding the rules of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (board). Amends Section 2306.624, regarding funding. Amends Section 2306.626, regarding grants. Amends Section 2306.626, regarding eligible participants. Amends Section 2306.627, regarding services to participants. Amends Section 2306.628, regarding community benefit. Amends Section 2306.629, regarding the establishment of an advisory board and a participant council. Amends Section 2306.630, regarding the application for a grant. SECTION 2. Adds text regarding the establishment of a work group. Renumbers existing SECTIONS.