BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 618
80R590 EJI-D By: Bonnen, O'Day (Jackson)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
H.B. 1247, enacted by the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, created the firefighter and law enforcement or security officer home loan program (program). This program currently does not provide loans to emergency medical services personnel.
H.B. 618 provides that emergency medical services personnel are eligible for home loans under the program and renames the program as the firefighter, law enforcement or security officer, and emergency medical services personnel home loan program.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Sections 2306.553(a) and (b), Government Code, to include emergency medical services personnel under the fire fighter, law enforcement or security officer and emergency medical services personnel home loan program, rather than the fire fighter and law enforcement officer or security officer home loan program as provided by Section 2306.5621, Government Code.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 2306.5621, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 2306.5621. New heading: FIRE FIGHTER, LAW ENFORCEMENT OR SECURITY OFFICER, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL HOME LOAN PROGRAM. (a) Redefines "home" and "program." Defines "emergency medical services personnel."
(b) Makes a conforming change.
(c) Includes a person defined as emergency medical services personnel under this section as being eligible for a loan under this section.
(d) Makes a conforming change.
(e) Makes no changes to this subsection.
(f) Requires the board of directors of the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (corporation) to adopt rules governing the verification of occupancy of the home by certain persons, including a person defined as emergency medical services personnel, as the borrower's, rather than the fire fighter's or the officer's or jailer's, principal residence.
(g) and (h) Makes no changes to these subsections.
(h-1) Authorizes the corporation to use any proceeds received from the sale of bonds, notes or other obligations issued under the home loan program, rather than the fire fighter and police officer home loan program, provided by this section, regardless of any amendments to the eligibility standards for loans made under the home loan program. Deletes existing text providing the time that the program existed immediately before amendment of this section by the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, as the point at which the corporation is authorized to use certain proceeds. Makes conforming changes.
(i) Makes no changes to this subsection.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 1372.0222, Government Code, as follows:
Sec. 1372.0222. New heading: DEDICATION OF PORTION OF STATE CEILING FOR FIRE FIGHTER, LAW ENFORCEMENT OR SECURITY OFFICER, AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL HOME LOAN PROGRAM. Makes conforming changes.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or on the 91st day after adjournment.