HBA-NLM H.B. 3682 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3682
By: Gutierrez
Appropriations
4/8/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, many state programs require communities to contribute local
matching funds in order to take part in those programs or to qualify for
state funding.  There is concern that the ability for some communities to
raise the necessary matching funds may be restricted by local economic
factors. High employment, low per capita income, and small tax bases
contribute to the inability of some communities to obtain certain resources
and infrastructure. H.B. 3682 authorizes a state agency, for an
economically disadvantaged county, to waive or adjust any matching funds
requirement that is otherwise a condition for a county to receive a grant
or other form of financial assistance from the agency.  H.B. 3682 defines
"economically disadvantaged county" as a county that has below average per
capita taxable property value and income, and above average unemployment,
in comparison to other counties in 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 Chapter 783, Government Code, by adding Section 783.009,
as follows: 

Sec. 783.009. MATCHING FUND WAIVER FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COUNTY.
Defines "economically disadvantaged county" for the purposes of this
section.  Authorizes a state agency, for an economically disadvantaged
county, to waive or adjust any matching funds requirement that is otherwise
a condition for a county to receive a grant or other form of financial
assistance from the agency. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.