By Ramsay H.B. No. 2868 77R7665 JMG-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to grants for certain counties to provide certain 1-3 essential services. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 130, Local Government Code, is amended by 1-6 adding Subchapter B to read as follows: 1-7 SUBCHAPTER B. GRANTS FOR ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES 1-8 Sec. 130.021. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: 1-9 (1) "Department" means the Texas Department of Housing 1-10 and Community Affairs. 1-11 (2) "Essential governmental service" means a law 1-12 enforcement service, including the provision of a jail or court, 1-13 the provision or maintenance of a public building, or the provision 1-14 of public recordkeeping. 1-15 Sec. 130.022. APPLICABILITY. This subchapter applies only to 1-16 a county that has levied the maximum state tax set out in Section 1-17 9(a), Article VIII, Texas Constitution, for the two-year period 1-18 preceding any distribution of funds under this subchapter. 1-19 Sec. 130.023. DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS. The department may 1-20 distribute funds appropriated by the legislature and designated for 1-21 distribution under this subchapter to reimburse a county for 1-22 expenses incurred in the provision of an essential governmental 1-23 service during the preceding fiscal year of the county. 1-24 Sec. 130.024. REGULATION OF DISTRIBUTION. The department 2-1 shall adopt regulations for the equitable distribution of funds 2-2 under this subchapter and for ensuring that the funds are used as 2-3 provided by Section 130.023. 2-4 Sec. 130.025. AUDIT. All funds distributed under this 2-5 subchapter are subject to audit by the state auditor. 2-6 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.