By: Lucio III, Leibowitz H.B. No. 434

(Senate Sponsor - Hinojosa)

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2009; May 7, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Business and Commerce; May 22, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 8, Nays 0; May 22, 2009, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a requirement that program materials for the Energy Services Program for Low-Income Individuals be provided in certain languages.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 2306.097, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 2306.097. ENERGY SERVICES PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS. (a) The Energy Services Program for Low-Income Individuals shall operate in conjunction with the community services block grant program and has jurisdiction and responsibility for administration of the following elements of the State Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, from whatever sources funded:

(1) the Energy Crisis Intervention Program;

(2) the weatherization program; and

(3) the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

(b) Applications, forms, and educational materials for a program administered under Subsection (a)(1), (2), or (3) must be provided in English, Spanish, and any other appropriate language.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 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 takes effect September 1, 2009.

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