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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the duties and programs of the Texas Department of |
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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 2306.001, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 2306.001. PURPOSES. The purposes of the department |
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are to: |
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(1) assist local governments in: |
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(A) providing essential public services for |
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their residents; and |
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(B) overcoming financial, social, and |
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environmental problems; |
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(2) provide for the housing needs of individuals and |
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families of low, very low, and extremely low income and families of |
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moderate income; |
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(3) contribute to the preservation, development, and |
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redevelopment of neighborhoods and communities, including |
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cooperation in the preservation of government-assisted housing |
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occupied by individuals and families of very low and extremely low |
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income; |
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(4) assist the governor and the legislature in |
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coordinating federal and state programs affecting local |
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government; |
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(5) inform state officials and the public of the needs |
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of local government; |
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(6) serve as the lead agency for: |
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(A) addressing at the state level the problem of |
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homelessness in this state; |
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(B) coordinating interagency efforts to address |
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homelessness; and |
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(C) addressing at the state level and |
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coordinating interagency efforts to address any problem associated |
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with homelessness, including hunger; [and] |
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(7) serve as a source of information to the public |
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regarding all affordable housing resources and community support |
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services in the state; and |
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(8) administer programs to achieve the purposes |
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described by this section and implement procedures to improve the |
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efficiency of those programs and to maximize federal funding. |
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SECTION 2. Section 2306.041, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 2306.041. IMPOSITION OF PENALTY. The board shall |
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[may] impose an administrative penalty on a person who violates |
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this chapter or a rule or order adopted under this chapter. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2306.085 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2306.085. GENERAL ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY; STUDY. (a) |
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The department shall develop and implement procedures to ensure |
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that all programs administered by the department comply with the |
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requirements of this chapter and applicable federal laws. |
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(b) The department shall conduct a study to determine |
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whether the creation of new programs or expansion of existing |
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services would improve the department's ability to perform the |
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duties assigned by this chapter. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |