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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to recipients of financial assistance administered by the |
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Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 2306.111, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (k) to read as follows: |
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(k) The department by rule shall: |
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(1) adopt policies to ensure that each housing |
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development that receives financial assistance administered by the |
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department, including financial assistance from the proceeds of |
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bonds issued by the department: |
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(A) reserves a certain number of units in the |
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development for individuals and families of very low income, to the |
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extent that the reservation does not conflict with any requirements |
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for the development under 26 U.S.C. Section 42; and |
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(B) except as otherwise permitted by law, accepts |
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as tenants individuals and families receiving rental assistance |
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under Section 8, United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. |
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Section 1437f), or some other form of rental assistance from a |
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political subdivision of this state or from the state or federal |
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government; and |
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(2) establish enforcement mechanisms with respect to |
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those housing developments that refuse to admit individuals and |
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families as described by Subdivision (1)(B). |
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SECTION 2. Section 301.021, Property Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: |
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(b-1) A person may not discriminate against another person |
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in the terms, conditions, or privileges of the rental of a dwelling |
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or in providing services or facilities in connection with the |
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rental of a dwelling because the other person receives a rent |
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subsidy or other public assistance from a political subdivision of |
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this state or from the state or federal government. |
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SECTION 3. (a) The change in law made by this Act in adding |
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Section 2306.111(k), Government Code, applies only to an |
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application for financial assistance that is submitted by a housing |
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development to the Texas Department of Housing and Community |
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Affairs on or after January 1, 2010. An application for financial |
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assistance that is submitted by a housing development to the |
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department before January 1, 2010, is governed by the law in effect |
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when the application was submitted, and the former law is continued |
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in effect for that purpose. |
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(b) Not later than December 1, 2009, the Texas Department of |
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Housing and Community Affairs shall adopt the rules required by |
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Section 2306.111(k), Government Code, as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |