79R2544 MFC-D

By:  Gonzales                                                     H.B. No. 775



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the allocation of certain community development block 
grant program money for the installation of street lights in 
colonias.
	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.  FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR INSTALLATION OF 
STREET LIGHTS IN COLONIAS.  (a)  In this section, "colonia" means an 
identifiable unincorporated community, or an identifiable 
community annexed by a municipality and eligible for assistance as 
described by Section 43.907(b), Local Government Code, that:
		(1)  is located within 150 miles of the international 
border of this state in a county that is eligible to receive 
financial assistance from the community development block grant 
colonia fund under this subchapter, as identified by office rule;
		(2)  is determined by the office 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; and
		(3)  was in existence and generally recognized as a 
colonia before November 28, 1990.
	(b)  The office shall 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.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  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)  The Office of Rural Community Affairs shall adopt the 
rule required by Section 487.354, Government Code, as added by this 
Act, not later than November 1, 2005.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.