By: Ellis S.B. No. 1908
 
 
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, 2007.