BILL ANALYSIS
By: Shapleigh
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently in Texas there is no single access point for information regarding housing resources. Information is maintained by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, the Texas Real Estate Commission, and other agencies. For developers, the process for increasing access to affordable housing is complex. Moreover, for consumers looking to access housing resources, the myriad of courses of various pieces of information is even more complex. Streamlining the information process will help both developers and consumers better access the necessary information regarding housing in Texas.
S.B. 1645 directs the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to work with the Department of Information Resources and other state agencies with housing resources to create an Internet portal that serves as a single point of access for state and federal resources regarding housing needs.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
S.B. 1645 requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, with assistance from certain other government entities and interested persons in the private sector, to establish and maintain a housing resources Internet portal for use by developers, community leaders and residents, and the general public. The portal must serve as a single point of access to state and federal resources regarding housing. The department has responsibility for general administration and oversight of the portal and for approving the content of all information made available. The portal must be hosted through TexasOnline. The Department of Information Resources is authorized to assist the department with technical advice regarding contracting with venders for services in connection with the portal.
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.