By: Guillen H.B. No. 518
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the evaluation of colonias in this state
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 487, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 487.354 to read as follows:
Sec. 487.354. EVALUATION OF COLONIAS. (a) In this section,
"colonia" means any identifiable unincorporated community, or an
identifiable community annexed by a municipality per Section
43.907(b) Local Government Code, that:
(1) is determined by existing rules of the state
agency being applied to for a grant or loan or other assistance as a
"colonia" or as an "economically depressed area"
(2) is determined by an agency being applied to for a
grant or loan to be a colonia on the basis of objective criteria,
including lack of potable water supply, lack of adequate sewage
systems, and lack of decent, safe, and sanitary housing.
(b) As part of the application process for the Community
Development Block Grant, Colonia Construction Fund or other grants
or loans an agency shall require each applicant to submit to the
agency a properly completed form as specified in SECTION 2. No
application shall be considered for funding by the office without
the completed form. The agency shall not be required to verify the
accuracy of the information on the form provided by the applicant.
The form shall include the following criteria:
(1) potable water and sewage systems;
(2) roads and public transportation;
(3) housing;
(4) engineering and design considerations; and
(5) other factors, as determined by the agency.
SECTION 2. The Form shall include the following:
WATER:
Is potable water available in the colonia? YES NO
If YES, what percentage of homes have potable water service?
a) 0-25% b) 26-50% c) 51-75% d) 76-100%
WASTEWATER:
Is wastewater disposal available in the colonia?YES NO
If YES, what percentage of homes have an adequate legal sewer
disposal system?
a) 0-25% b) 26-50% c) 51-75% d) 76-100%
TRASH:
Is trash collection available in the colonia? YES NO
If YES, what percentage of homes have a legal solid waste
disposal service?
a) 0-25% b) 26-50% c) 51-75% d) 76-100%
ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE
Is there a hospital in your county? YES NO
If YES, the name of the hospital is ____________________
The nearest hospital is ____ miles away.
Is there an emergency clinic/rural clinic/federally
qualified health center in your county?
If YES, the nearest clinic/health center is _____ miles away.
If YES, what type of clinic/health center is available?
_________________________
Are emergency medical services available in your
area?YES NO
TRANSPORTATION:
Are the streets and roads passable in all weather
conditions?YES NO
Is the area accessible by emergency vehicles? YES NO
Are streets and roads paved? YES NO
If YES, what percentage of street and roads are paved?
a) 0-25% b) 26-50% c) 51-75% d) 76-100%
HOUSING:
What percentage of homes in the colonia appear to be in need
of housing rehabilitation or reconstruction?
a) 0-25% b) 26-50% c) 51-75% d) 76-100%
COMMUNICATIONS:
Are telephone services (cellular or land based)
available?YES NO
PLATTING:
Has the colonia been platted? YES NO
ENGINEERING:
What is the approximate cost per connection or housing unit
for the project?
GENERAL:
Please explain the selection of this particular colonia(s).
Include all aspects that identify the rationale for this colonia
being selected.
SECTION 3. A score for the evaluation shall be computed as
follows:Max
WATER a-2.5 b-5 c-7.5 d-10 10
WASTEWATER a-2.5 b-5 c-7.5 d-10 10
TRASH a-2.5 b-5 c-7.5 d-10 10
ACCESS TO
HEALTHCARE a. Yes 3 No 0 b. Yes 3 No 0 c. Yes 4 No 0 10
TRANSPORTATION A&B a. Yes 2 No 0 b. Yes 2 No 0 4
TRANSPORTATION C a-1.5 b-3 c-4.5 d-6 6
HOUSING a-2.5 b-5 c-7.5 d-10 10
COMMUNICATIONS a. Yes 10 No 0 10
PLATTING a. Yes 10 No 0 10
TOTAL POSSIBLE SCORE 80
SECTION 4. This act takes effect September 1, 2005.