SRC-JJJ C.S.S.B. 1284 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1284
76R11470 CAG-DBy: Lucio
Border Affairs - Special
4/6/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, there is no one responsible for providing home owners in
colonias with information. C.S.S.B. 1284 would establish the creation and
oversight of a colonia ombudsman program in certain economically distressed
areas, and would require a colonia ombudsman to provide colonia residents
with information on state or county programs affecting the colonias. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1284 establishes the creation and oversight of a
colonia ombudsman program in certain economically distressed areas. 

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 Title 7, Government Code, by adding Chapter 775, as
follows: 

CHAPTER 775. COLONIA OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM

 Sec. 775.001.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "agency" and "colonia."

Sec. 775.002.  INTERAGENCY COORDINATION OF COLONIA INITIATIVES. Authorizes
the governor to designate an agency to act as the state's colonia
initiatives coordinator (coordinator).  Requires the coordinator to
coordinate colonia initiatives within the agency and with other agencies
and local officials involved in colonia projects in the state.  Authorizes
the coordinator to work with the other agencies and local officials
involved in colonia projects in the state to fulfill certain conditions.
Sets forth agencies required to designate an officer or employee of the
agency to serve as the agency's liaison for colonia initiatives.  Requires
each agency's liaison to be a deputy executive director or a person of
equivalent or higher authority at the agency.  Provides that this section
does not authorize the creation of a new position for colonia coordination
at a state agency. 

Sec. 775.003.  COLONIA OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM. Authorizes the coordinator to
appoint a colonia ombudsman in each of the six border counties that the
coordinator determines to have the largest colonia population.  

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 775.002, Government Code, to establish provisions regarding
interagency coordination of colonia initiatives. 
 Amends Section 775.003, Government Code, to establish provisions regarding
a colonia ombudsman program.