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79R5882 MFC-D

By:  Riddle                                                       H.B. No. 1159



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to community support for applications for the issuance of 
private activity bonds and low income housing tax credits.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 2306.359(a), Government Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(a)  In evaluating an application for an issuance of private 
activity bonds, the department shall score and rank the application 
using a point system based on criteria that are adopted by the 
department, including criteria:
		(1)  regarding:                                                               
			(A)  the income levels of tenants of the 
development, consistent with the funding priorities provided by 
Section 1372.0321;
			(B)  the rent levels of the units;                                           
			(C)  the level of community support for the 
application, evaluated on the basis of written statements from 
elected officials described by Section 2306.6718;
			(D)  the period of guaranteed affordability for 
low income tenants;        
			(E)  the cost per unit of the development;                                   
			(F)  the size, quality, and amenities of the 
units;                        
			(G)  the services to be provided to tenants of the 
development;            
			(H)  the commitment of development funding by 
local political subdivisions that enables additional units for 
individuals and families of very low income; and
			(I)  other criteria as developed by the board; and                           
		(2)  imposing penalties on applicants who have 
requested extensions of department deadlines relating to 
developments supported by an issuance of private activity bonds 
made in the application round preceding the current round.
	SECTION 2.  Sections 2306.6718(a) and (c), Government Code, 
are amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The department shall provide written notice of the 
filing of an application to the following elected officials:
		(1)  members of the legislature who represent the 
community containing the development described in the application; 
[and]
		(2)  the chief executive officer of the political 
subdivision containing the development described in the 
application; and
		(3)  members of the legislature who represent 
communities located at least in part within a five-mile radius of 
the community containing the development described in the 
application.
	(c)  A member of the legislature who represents the community 
containing the development or a community located at least in part 
within a five-mile radius of the community containing the 
development may hold a community meeting at which the department 
shall provide appropriate representation.
	SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act relating to 
the evaluation of applications for financial assistance 
administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community 
Affairs apply only to an application submitted on or after the 
effective date of this Act.  An application submitted before the 
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the 
application was submitted, and the former law is continued in 
effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.