MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Thursday, March 27, 2008

11:00 a.m.

J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, Dallas, Texas

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Thursday, March 27, 2008, in the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, Dallas, Texas

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Royce West Senator Robert Nichols Senator Jeff Wentworth		Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Dan Patrick

 

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 11:01 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The Chair laid out the interim committee charge to study and make recommendations on Texas' housing programs, with particular focus upon significantly improving home ownership rates by evaluating Texas' efforts to address the growing housing need.  Efforts should include assessment of the range of tools which may be used to help low-income Texans develop equity through home ownership.  Tools should be evaluated in terms of their economic development impact, leverage of federal and private funds, and how they are utilized in other states.

 

A quorum was established at 11:03 a.m.

 

Senator West moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearings held on February 28, 2008, and February 29, 2008.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited and public testimony on this interim committee charge.  See attached witness list.

 

The Chair laid out the interim committee charge to study and make recommendations on Texas' housing programs, with particular focus upon examining the incidence of health and safety violations and concerns for general habitability among multi-family and single-family rental properties across the state, including properties financed or supported by the state.  Consider the adequacy of the existing authority conferred by the state upon local governments to address violations of habitability standards.  Make recommendations for extension of local capacity for redress.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on this interim committee charge.  See attached witness list.  There were no public witnesses registered to testify on this interim committee charge.

 

At 12:25 p.m., the Chair moved that the committee stand at ease.  Without objection, it was so ordered.

 

At 12:56 p.m., the committee reconvened.

 

The Chair laid out the interim committee charge to study the shifting geographic nature of low-income neighborhoods in urban and suburban areas, focusing on factors that contribute to economic displacement of low income homeowners and factors that contribute to beneficial redevelopment of distressed neighborhoods.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited testimony on this interim committee charge.  See attached witness list.  There were no public witnesses registered to testify on this interim committee charge.

 

The Chair laid out the interim committee charge to review title insurance requirements relating to the purchase of a home under an installment contract or contract for a deed.  Study title insurance requirements and costs in Texas as compared to other states.

 

The Chair called the following persons to provide invited and public testimony on this interim committee charge.  See attached witness list.

 

There being no further business, at 2:55 p.m. Senator West moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

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Senator Royce West, Chair

 

 

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Tiffany White, Clerk