SRC-CTC H.B. 3450 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3450
By: Gallego (Lucio)
Health & Human Services
4/27/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Interagency Council for the Homeless (council) was created in
1989 to coordinate the state's resources and services for the homeless, and
consists of representatives from state agencies that serve the homeless.
The council receives no state funding and does not have a full-time staff,
but receives clerical and advisory support from the Texas Department of 
Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).  The council is subject to the
Sunset Act and will be abolished on September 1, 2001, unless continued by
the legislature.  H.B. 3450 implements the recommendations of the Sunset
Advisory Commission.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 2306.001, Government Code, to add serving as the
lead agency for addressing the problem of homelessness at the state level,
coordinating interagency efforts to address homelessness, and addressing
and coordinating efforts at the state level to address any problem
associated with homelessness, including hunger, to the list of purposes of
the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (department). 

SECTION 2.  Redesignates Section 2307.006, Government Code, as Section
2306.256, Government Code, and amends as follows: 

 Sec. 2306.256.  New heading: TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM.

SECTION 3.  Redesignates Sections 2307.001-2307.005 and 2307.008,
Government Code, as Subchapter GG, and amends by adding Sections 2306.782,
2306.786, and 2306.787, as follows: 

Sec. 2306.781.  New heading: DEFINITION.  Defines "council" for the
purposes of this subchapter rather than for this chapter. 

Sec. 2306.782.  ADVISORY ROLE.  Provides that the Texas Interagency Council
for the Homeless (council) serves as an advisory committee to the
department.  Authorizes the council to recommend policies to the board.
Requires the board to provide written justification for not accepting
council recommendations and to consider council recommendations in
preparing its low income housing plan under Section 2306.0721.  Provides
that the council is not subject to Chapter 2110.  Deletes the definition of
"department." 

Sec. 2306.783.  Deletes text relating to the workforce development division
of the Texas Department of Commerce.  Sets forth certain requirements of a
member of the council. 

Sec. 2306.785.  Requires the council to ensure that local or statewide
nonprofit organizations  perform the duties under this section that the
council is unable to perform.  Deletes text relating to a strategic plan to
address the needs of the homeless in this state. 

Sec. 2306.786.  DUTIES OF STATE AGENCY COUNCIL MEMBERS.  Requires each
agency represented on the council to report to the department a standard
set of performance data, as determined by the department, on the agency's
outcomes related to homelessness. Requires each agency to contribute
resources to the council. 

Sec, 2306.787.  PUBLIC HEARINGS.  Authorizes the council to hold,
throughout the state, public hearings on homelessness issues.  Requires the
department to provide a  notice of the hearings to the secretary of state
for publication in the Texas Register and to provide for the notice to be
given in certain other appropriate sources. 

Sec. 2306.789.  Authorizes the council to accept gifts and grants from a
public or private source for use in carrying out the council's duties under
this subchapter, rather than chapter. 

SECTION 4.  Repealer: Section 2307.007 (Sunset), Government Code.

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.