By Flores                                             H.B. No. 2147
         76R2184 KEL-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the identification of real property owned by the state
 1-3     that is suitable for the development of affordable housing.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 31.156, Natural Resources Code, is
 1-6     amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e) to
 1-7     read as follows:
 1-8           (b)  The division shall identify the real property not being
 1-9     used or being substantially underused and make recommendations to
1-10     the commissioner regarding the use of the property or regarding a
1-11     real estate transaction involving the property.  The
1-12     recommendations shall include an analysis of the highest and best
1-13     use to which the property may legally be placed.  It shall include
1-14     recommendations for alternative uses of the property, including
1-15     recommendations addressing the potential for development of the
1-16     property to provide  affordable housing, the potential for
1-17     commercial or agricultural lease of the property, or the potential
1-18     for any other real estate transaction or use that the division may
1-19     deem to be in the best interest of the state.  The division shall
1-20     solicit proposals and shall accept any unsolicited proposals about
1-21     real estate transactions involving the property that would be of
1-22     significant benefit to the state.
1-23           (e)  In determining under Subsection (b) whether property may
1-24     potentially be developed to provide affordable housing, the
 2-1     division shall consult the Texas Department of Housing and
 2-2     Community Affairs.  The division and the Texas Department of
 2-3     Housing and Community Affairs shall estimate the current market
 2-4     value of any property identified as having the potential for
 2-5     development to provide affordable housing.
 2-6           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
 2-7     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-8     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-9     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-10     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
2-11     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
2-12     passage, and it is so enacted.