By:  Shapleigh                                                    S.B. No. 1645
	(In the Senate - Filed March 11, 2005; March 23, 2005, read 
first time and referred to Committee on Government Organization; 
April 27, 2005, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 6, 
Nays 0; April 27, 2005, sent to printer.)


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT


relating to creation of an Internet portal for housing resources.           
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 2306.009 to read as follows:
	Sec. 2306.009.  HOUSING RESOURCES INTERNET PORTAL.  (a)  In 
this section, "portal" means the housing resources Internet portal 
required by this section.
	(b)  The department, with assistance from the Department of 
Information Resources and with participation by the Office of Rural 
Community Affairs, the Texas Real Estate Commission, the Savings 
and Loan Department, the Texas Water Development Board, and 
interested persons in the private sector, shall establish and 
maintain a housing resources Internet portal for use by developers, 
community leaders and residents, and the general public.
	(c)  The portal must serve as a single point of access to 
state and federal resources regarding housing and must provide 
appropriate links to information and experts available through the 
Internet.
	(d)  The department has responsibility for general 
administration and oversight of the portal and for approving the 
content of all information made available through the portal.
	(e)  The Department of Information Resources shall:                     
		(1)  host the portal through the project known as 
TexasOnline;       
		(2)  organize the portal in a manner that simplifies 
portal use and administration;
		(3)  provide any necessary technical advice to the 
department, including advice relating to equipment required in 
connection with the portal;
		(4)  provide a method for maintaining the information 
made available through the portal; and
		(5)  cooperate with the department in linking the 
department's Internet site to the portal.
	(f)  The Department of Information Resources may assist the 
department with technical advice regarding contracting with 
vendors for any services in connection with the portal.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.                           



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