SRC-JLB S.B. 1661 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1661
By: Madla
Intergovernmental Relations
3/28/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
board of directors and members of the Executive Award and Review Advisory
Committee may not communicate with applicants for housing funds about
their applications during the application cycle, except at public
hearings.  Some believe the TDHCA board and advisory committee members
would be better served if they were allowed to receive reports or
documents from applicants prior to meetings at which decisions are made.
As proposed, S.B. 1661 allows applicants to submit written documentation
to board members. 

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 2306.1113, Government Code, as follows:
 
Sec. 2306.1113.  EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS.  (a)  Prohibits a member of the
governing board of the TDHCA (board) from communicating orally about an
application with certain persons. 

(b)  Authorizes a board member or advisory committee member,
notwithstanding Subsection (a), to communicate with a person described by
that subsection at any board meeting, public hearing held with respect to
the application, or through written communication, excluding electronic
mail and other communications via an electronic medium such as the
Internet. 
 
SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.