79R6677 QS-D

By:  Van Arsdale                                                  H.B. No. 1998



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the timing of hearings and community meetings regarding 
applications for an allocation of low income housing tax credits.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 2306.6717(c), Government Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(c)  The department shall hold at least three public hearings 
in different regions of the state to receive public comments on 
applications and on other issues relating to the low income housing 
tax credit program.  The department may not schedule a hearing 
required by this subsection during the period beginning on the 30th 
day before the date a regular legislative session convenes and 
ending on the 30th day after the date of final adjournment.
	SECTION 2.  Section 2306.6718(c), Government Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(c)  A member of the legislature who represents the community 
containing the development may hold a community meeting at which 
the department shall provide appropriate representation.  The 
department shall organize the housing tax credit application 
process in such a way that community meetings under this subsection 
need not occur during the period beginning on the 30th day before 
the date a regular legislative session convenes and ending on the 
30th day after the date of final adjournment.
	SECTION 3.  Section 2306.6724, Government Code, is amended 
by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
	(g)  To the extent consistent with federal law, the 
department shall modify the deadlines provided by this section as 
necessary so that department hearings and community meetings on 
applications for an allocation of housing tax credits are not or 
need not be held during the period beginning on the 30th day before 
the date a regular legislative session convenes and ending on the 
30th day after the date of final adjournment.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.