By: Zaffirini, Truan S.B. No. 501 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT 1-1 relating to authorizing the comptroller to provide assistance to 1-2 local governments in obtaining funds from the federal government. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 403, Government Code, is 1-5 amended by adding Section 403.026 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 403.026. ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN OBTAINING 1-7 FEDERAL AID. (a) On the request of a political subdivision of 1-8 this state, the comptroller may provide assistance and technical 1-9 support to the political subdivision in obtaining the maximum 1-10 amount of funding from the federal government to which the 1-11 political subdivision is entitled. 1-12 (b) To cover the costs of providing assistance under this 1-13 section and to the extent not prohibited under federal law, the 1-14 comptroller may charge a fee to the political subdivision for 1-15 assistance equal to an amount not to exceed 20 percent of any 1-16 additional funds obtained because of the assistance provided by the 1-17 comptroller. 1-18 SECTION 2. The importance of this legislation and the 1-19 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-20 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-21 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-22 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 1-23 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-1 passage, and it is so enacted.