HBA-MPA H.B. 2191 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2191
By: Wise
Urban Affairs
3/23/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, low-income housing built in targeted counties along the border
is often leased soon after being built.  These targeted counties currently
receive 12 percent of the total amount of low-income housing tax credits.
These tax credits have been a valuable tool in providing housing
opportunities for low-income residents.  H.B. 2191 requires that 20 percent
of the annual allocation of low income housing tax credits be committed to
the targeted counties of the state.    

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 2306.675, Government Code, to require the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs (department) to issue
commitments for at least 20 percent of the annual allocation of low-income
housing tax credits to eligible housing projects in affected counties.
Defines "affected counties" as a county that has a per capita income that
averaged 25 percent below the state average, and an unemployment rate that
averaged 25 percent above the state average for the most recent three
consecutive years for which statistics are available. 

SECTION 2.  Requires the department to issue  at least 20 percent of the
balance of the allocation of low income housing tax credits for fiscal year
1999 on the effective date of this Act to eligible housing projects in
affected counties.  

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.