BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 775
By: Gonzales (Lucio)
International Relations & Trade
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) receives a community development block grant from the federal government via the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development to develop viable communities by providing decent housing and suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities principally for persons of low and moderate income.
H.B. 775 requires ORCA to adopt a rule requiring a political subdivision that receives community development block grant money to allocate between five and fifteen percent of the funds toward the installation of street lighting in colonias.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Office of Rural Community Affairs in SECTION 1 (Section 487.354, Government Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 487, Government Code, by adding Section 487.354, as follows:
Sec. 487.354. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR INSTALLATION OF STREET LIGHTS IN COLONIAS. (a) Defines "colonia."
(b) Requires the Office of Rural Community Affairs (office) to adopt a rule requiring a political subdivision that receives community development block grant program money targeted toward street improvement projects to allocate not less than five percent but not more than 15 percent of the total amount of targeted money to providing financial assistance to colonias within the political subdivision to enable the installation of adequate street lighting in those colonias if street lighting is absent or needed.
SECTION 2. (a) Provides that Section 487.354, Government Code, as added by this Act, applies only to an allocation of community development block grant program money based on an application cycle that begins on or after the effective date of this Act.
(b) Requires the office to adopt the rule requires by Section 487.354, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than November 1, 2005.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2005.