JH S.B. 1852 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


URBAN AFFAIRS
S.B. 1852
By: Armbrister (Hill)
5-9-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, Texas law does not provide an agency that evaluates state and
local regulations to identify those who limit the availability of housing.
S.B. 1852 would create the Texas Affordable Housing Task Force which would
evaluate state and local regulations and policies to identify those that
unnecessarily increase the cost of constructing or rehabilitating
affordable housing. Before each legislative session, the task force would
submit a report to the legislature that includes the statewide housing
policy, a list of state and local regulations that unnecessarily increase
the cost of housing, and legislative recommendations for revising those
regulations. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1852 outlines provisions regarding the creation and
operation of the Texas Affordable Housing Task Force. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.   Amends Chapter 2306, Government Code, by adding Subchapter
AA, as follows: 
  SUBCHAPTER AA. TEXAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE
  Sec. 2306.615. GENERAL PROVISIONS. Sets forth the composition of the
Texas Affordable Housing Task Force (task force). Outlines provisions
regarding   appointment to the task force. Requires the task force members
to elect a member   to serve as presiding officer. Requires the task force
to meet at the call of the   presiding officer at least quarterly.
Provides that a member is not entitled to   compensation or reimbursement
of expenses. Requires the Texas Department of   Housing and Community
Affairs to provide staff support to the task force.   Authorizes the task
force to select and use other advisors in carrying out the task   force's
duties under this subchapter. Provides that this subchapter expires and
the   Texas Affordable Housing Task Force is abolished on December 31,
1998. 
  Sec. 2306.616. POWERS AND DUTIES. Requires the task force to evaluate
regulations and policies relating to housing to identify those regulations
and   policies that increase costs, create barriers for low-income Texans,
or otherwise   limit availability of affordable housing. Sets forth
recommendations the task force   is required to make. 
  Sec. 2306.617. REPORT ON EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.   Sets forth
items to be included in a report the task force is required to submit to
the governor, the presiding officer of each house of the legislature, the
board of   directors of the department, and to appropriate state agencies
not later than   December 31, 1998. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.