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.