By Lucio S.B. No. 1284 76R9125 CAG-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the creation and oversight of a colonia ombudsman 1-3 program in certain economically distressed areas. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding 1-6 Chapter 775 to read as follows: 1-7 CHAPTER 775. COLONIA OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM 1-8 Sec. 775.001. DEFINITIONS. In this section: 1-9 (1) "Agency" includes a state office, institution, or 1-10 other state governmental entity. 1-11 (2) "Colonia" means a geographic area that: 1-12 (A) is an economically distressed area as 1-13 defined by Section 17.921, Water Code; or 1-14 (B) is in a county that is eligible for 1-15 assistance under Section 17.923, Water Code. 1-16 Sec. 775.002. INTERAGENCY COORDINATION OF COLONIA 1-17 INITIATIVES. (a) The secretary of state shall designate an 1-18 employee to act as the colonia initiatives coordinator. 1-19 (b) The colonia initiatives coordinator shall: 1-20 (1) coordinate colonia initiatives within the 1-21 secretary of state's office, other agencies, and local governments 1-22 involved in colonia projects in the state; and 1-23 (2) oversee the work of colonia ombudsmen. 1-24 Sec. 775.003. COLONIA OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM. (a) The colonia 2-1 initiatives coordinator shall appoint a colonia ombudsman in each 2-2 of the six border counties that the coordinator determines have the 2-3 largest colonia population. 2-4 (b) The state and a county that has a colonia ombudsman 2-5 shall equally divide the cost of operating the colonia ombudsman 2-6 program in the county. 2-7 (c) A colonia ombudsman shall: 2-8 (1) coordinate efforts within the county to address 2-9 colonia issues; 2-10 (2) assist colonia residents and groups with colonia 2-11 issues; 2-12 (3) assist any party in resolving easement problems; 2-13 (4) assist developers and colonia residents in 2-14 obtaining any necessary water or wastewater connections; and 2-15 (5) provide information related to any state or county 2-16 programs affecting a colonia to persons working or living in a 2-17 colonia. 2-18 (d) A colonia ombudsman shall report monthly to the colonia 2-19 initiatives coordinator on the ombudsman's actions. The ombudsman 2-20 may provide information to other agencies relating to colonia 2-21 issues in the county in which the ombudsman is stationed. 2-22 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 2-23 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-24 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-25 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-26 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-27 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.