BILL ANALYSIS
By: Madden
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Created by House Bill No. 1247 during the 78th Legislature’s Regular Session, the Fire Fighter Police Officer Home Loan Program is administered by The Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC). Nicknamed the "Homes For Heroes" program, TSAHC provides low-rate, 30-year fixed rate mortgage loans and 5% down payment assistance for first time homebuyers who are employed as police officers or firefighters in this state.
Upon passage, House Bill No. 1247 narrowly extended "Homes for Heroes" to police officers as defined by Section 143.003(5) of the Local Government Code. House Bill No. 1007, passed during the 79th Legislature’s Regular Session, amended the code and authorized TSAHC to administer the program to a broad range of peace officers and fire fighters as well as corrections officers, county jailers, and public security officers.
House Bill No. 280 amends Section 2306.5621(a)(6) of the Government Code to add juvenile correctional officers employed by the Texas Youth Commission to the definition of "Corrections officer", thereby allowing these officers to also participate in the "Homes for Heroes" program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a State officer, department, agency, or institution.
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
House Bill No. 280 would amend Section 2306.5621(a)(6), Government Code, to add "a juvenile correctional officer employed by the Texas Youth Commission" to the definition of "Corrections officer".
EFFECTIVE DATE
This Act would take effect immediately if it were to receive a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act would take effect September 1, 2007.