SRC-TNM C.S.S.B. 1852 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1852
By: Armbrister
State Affairs
4-18-97
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law does not provide an agency that evaluates state and
local regulations to identify those who limit the availability of housing.
C.S.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, C.S.S.B. 1852 outlines provisions regarding the creation and
operation of the Texas Affordable Housing Task Force. 

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 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.

 
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends proposed relating clause.

SECTION 1. 

Amends Chapter 2306, Government Code, regarding provisions, powers, and
duties of the Texas Affordable Housing Task Force.  Renumbers remaining
SECTIONS.