81R12221 JRD-D
 
  By: Pitts H.B. No. 4585
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to ensuring that Texas state government has sufficient
  general law authority to apply for and receive the maximum amount of
  federal funds available under the American Recovery and
  Reinvestment Act of 2009 and any subsequent federal economic
  stimulus legislation that may make funds available to this state
  during the current or during the next state fiscal biennium.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY.  Subchapter A,
  Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 411.0139
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 411.0139.  AUTHORITY TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE MAXIMUM
  AMOUNT OF FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS MONEY; DUTIES, RESTRICTIONS,
  AND LIMITATIONS.  (a)  The department shall take action in
  accordance with this section to apply for and receive the maximum
  amount of federal stimulus money available to this state for
  expenditure by or through the department. To that end the
  department shall study appropriate provisions of the American
  Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. No. 111-5) and any
  subsequent federal economic stimulus legislation that may make
  federal stimulus money available to the department and any federal
  regulations and executive orders connected to the federal
  legislation to determine:
               (1)  the extent to which the department has sufficient
  authority under existing state law to apply for, receive, and
  expend or grant federal stimulus money through existing state
  programs;
               (2)  the extent to which federal stimulus money would
  be available for expenditure by or through the department under
  existing state programs provided that one or more requirements
  applicable to the programs are modified in accordance with the
  requirements of federal law; and
               (3)  the extent to which federal stimulus money is
  available for programs connected to the department's general
  mission but for which there is not currently a program authorized
  under state law.
         (b)  In applying for and receiving the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available to this state for expenditure by
  or through the department, the department shall whenever possible
  apply for, receive, and expend or grant the money in accordance with
  an existing state program for which no modifications to applicable
  program requirements are necessary under federal law.
         (c)  When the department determines that modifications to
  the requirements applicable to an existing program are necessary
  under federal law to receive and expend or grant the maximum amount
  of federal stimulus money, the commission shall adopt rules that
  modify the requirements applicable to the existing program to the
  minimum extent necessary to comply with applicable federal
  requirements.  Rules adopted under this subsection may be initially
  adopted as emergency rules if necessary to receive the maximum
  amount of federal stimulus money.  In its notice proposing the rule
  and its order adopting the rule, the commission must state the
  reasons why the commission believes modifications to program
  requirements are necessary to receive the maximum amount of federal
  stimulus money under the applicable federal law.  The department
  shall apply for, receive, and expend or grant the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available for the program as modified by
  commission rule.
         (d)  When the department determines that federal stimulus
  money is available for a purpose within the department's general
  mission but that there is no program administered by the department
  or another state governmental entity under which the federal
  stimulus money may be spent even if program modifications are made
  to conform to federal requirements, the commission by rule shall
  create a program consistent with the department's general mission
  and federal requirements and the department shall apply for,
  receive, and expend the federal stimulus money under the program
  created by rule.  Rules adopted under this subsection may be
  initially adopted as emergency rules if necessary to receive the
  maximum amount of federal stimulus money.  In its notice proposing
  the rule and its order adopting the rule, the commission must state
  the reasons why the commission believes no program currently exists
  under which, even with modifications, the department or another
  state governmental entity could apply for, receive, and expend
  federal stimulus money available for the particular purpose of the
  new program under the applicable federal law.
         (e)  Rules adopted under this section must be consistent with
  any legislation enacted by the 81st Legislature that becomes law
  that addresses an issue addressed by the rules.  As the purpose of
  the rules is to apply for, receive, and expend federal stimulus
  money, rules adopted under this section must also be consistent
  with any provisions prescribed by the legislature in an Act of the
  legislature appropriating the federal funds to the department that
  detail, limit, or direct, in a manner consistent with federal
  requirements, how the money may be spent.
         (f)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), rules adopted
  under this section expire September 1, 2011, together with any new
  program created by the rules and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rules.  A rule adopted under this
  section may be readopted by the commission after that date only to
  the extent that the rule is consistent with and authorized under
  then existing state law.
         (g)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), this section
  expires September 1, 2011.
         (h)  A rule adopted under this section, together with any new
  program created by the rule and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rule, may be extended beyond the
  September 1, 2011, expiration date if at any time before that date,
  including during the time that the rule is being considered for
  adoption, the governor finds that the rule must expire at a later
  date under the requirements of federal law in order to receive the
  federal stimulus money for the particular program addressed by the
  rule and the governor by proclamation extends the effective date of
  the rule to a date certain after September 1, 2011, for that
  purpose.  If the governor acts under this subsection, this section
  is continued in effect after September 1, 2011, for the limited
  purpose of governing a rule adopted under this section before that
  date that was extended by proclamation of the governor.
         SECTION 2.  HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION.  
  Subchapter A, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding
  Section 531.0029 to read as follows:
         Sec. 531.0029.  AUTHORITY TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE MAXIMUM
  AMOUNT OF FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS MONEY; DUTIES, RESTRICTIONS,
  AND LIMITATIONS.  (a)  The commission shall take action in
  accordance with this section to apply for and receive the maximum
  amount of federal stimulus money available to this state for
  expenditure by or through the commission or a health and human
  services agency.  To that end the commission shall study
  appropriate provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment
  Act of 2009 (Pub. L. No. 111-5) and any subsequent federal economic
  stimulus legislation that may make federal stimulus money available
  to the commission or a health and human services agency and any
  federal regulations and executive orders connected to the federal
  legislation to determine:
               (1)  the extent to which the commission has sufficient
  authority under existing state law to apply for, receive, and
  expend or grant federal stimulus money through existing state
  programs administered by the commission or a health and human
  services agency;
               (2)  the extent to which federal stimulus money would
  be available for expenditure by or through the commission or a
  health and human services agency under existing state programs
  provided that one or more requirements applicable to the programs
  are modified in accordance with the requirements of federal law;
  and
               (3)  the extent to which federal stimulus money is
  available for programs connected to the general mission of the
  commission or a health and human services agency but for which there
  is not currently a program authorized under state law.
         (b)  In applying for and receiving the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available to this state for expenditure by
  or through the commission or a health and human services agency, the
  commission shall whenever possible apply for and receive the money
  and provide that the money is expended or granted in accordance with
  an existing state program for which no modifications to applicable
  program requirements are necessary under federal law.
         (c)  When the commission determines that modifications to
  the requirements applicable to an existing program are necessary
  under federal law to receive and expend or grant the maximum amount
  of federal stimulus money, the executive commissioner shall adopt
  rules that modify the requirements applicable to the existing
  program to the minimum extent necessary to comply with applicable
  federal requirements.  Rules adopted under this subsection may be
  initially adopted as emergency rules if necessary to receive the
  maximum amount of federal stimulus money.  In the notice proposing
  the rule and in the order adopting the rule, the executive
  commissioner must state the reasons why the executive commissioner
  believes modifications to program requirements are necessary to
  receive the maximum amount of federal stimulus money under the
  applicable federal law.  The commission shall apply for and receive
  the maximum amount of federal stimulus money available, and provide
  that the money is expended or granted, for the program as modified
  by rule of the executive commissioner.
         (d)  When the commission determines that federal stimulus
  money is available for a purpose within the general mission of the
  commission or a health and human services agency but that there is
  no program administered by the commission, a health and human
  services agency, or another state governmental entity under which
  the federal stimulus money may be spent even if program
  modifications are made to conform to federal requirements, the
  executive commissioner by rule shall create a program consistent
  with the general mission of the commission or the appropriate
  health and human services agency and consistent with federal
  requirements and the commission shall apply for and receive the
  money and provide that the money is expended or granted under the
  program created by rule.  Rules adopted under this subsection may be
  initially adopted as emergency rules if necessary to receive the
  maximum amount of federal stimulus money.  In the notice proposing
  the rule and in the order adopting the rule, the executive
  commissioner must state the reasons why the executive commissioner
  believes no program currently exists under which, even with
  modifications, the commission, a health and human services agency,
  or another state governmental entity could apply for, receive, and
  expend federal stimulus money available for the particular purpose
  of the new program under the applicable federal law.
         (e)  Rules adopted under this section must be consistent with
  any legislation enacted by the 81st Legislature that becomes law
  that addresses an issue addressed by the rules. As the purpose of
  the rules is to apply for, receive, and expend federal stimulus
  money, rules adopted under this section must also be consistent
  with any provisions prescribed by the legislature in an Act of the
  legislature appropriating the federal funds to the commission or a
  health and human services agency that detail, limit, or direct, in a
  manner consistent with federal requirements, how the money may be
  spent.
         (f)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), rules adopted
  under this section expire September 1, 2011, together with any new
  program created by the rules and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rules. A rule adopted under this
  section may be readopted by the executive commissioner after that
  date only to the extent that the rule is consistent with and
  authorized under then existing state law.
         (g)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), this section
  expires September 1, 2011.
         (h)  A rule adopted under this section, together with any new
  program created by the rule and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rule, may be extended beyond the
  September 1, 2011, expiration date if at any time before that date,
  including during the time that the rule is being considered for
  adoption, the governor finds that the rule must expire at a later
  date under the requirements of federal law in order to receive the
  federal stimulus money for the particular program addressed by the
  rule and the governor by proclamation extends the effective date of
  the rule to a date certain after September 1, 2011, for that
  purpose.  If the governor acts under this subsection, this section
  is continued in effect after September 1, 2011, for the limited
  purpose of governing a rule adopted under this section before that
  date that was extended by proclamation of the governor.
         SECTION 3.  TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY.  Subchapter A, Chapter
  7, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 7.0025 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 7.0025.  AUTHORITY TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE MAXIMUM
  AMOUNT OF FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS MONEY; DUTIES, RESTRICTIONS,
  AND LIMITATIONS.  (a)  The agency shall take action in accordance
  with this section to apply for and receive the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available to this state for expenditure by
  or through the agency.  To that end the agency shall study
  appropriate provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment
  Act of 2009 (Pub. L. No. 111-5) and any subsequent federal economic
  stimulus legislation that may make federal stimulus money available
  to the agency and any federal regulations and executive orders
  connected to the federal legislation to determine:
               (1)  the extent to which the agency has sufficient
  authority under existing state law to apply for, receive, and
  expend or grant federal stimulus money through existing state
  programs;
               (2)  the extent to which federal stimulus money would
  be available for expenditure by or through the agency under
  existing state programs provided that one or more requirements
  applicable to the programs are modified in accordance with the
  requirements of federal law; and
               (3)  the extent to which federal stimulus money is
  available for programs connected to the agency's general mission
  but for which there is not currently a program authorized under
  state law.
         (b)  In applying for and receiving the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available to this state for expenditure by
  or through the agency, the agency shall whenever possible apply
  for, receive, and expend or grant the money in accordance with an
  existing state program for which no modifications to applicable
  program requirements are necessary under federal law.
         (c)  When the agency determines that modifications to the
  requirements applicable to an existing program are necessary under
  federal law to receive and expend or grant the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money, the commissioner shall adopt rules that
  modify the requirements applicable to the existing program to the
  minimum extent necessary to comply with applicable federal
  requirements. Rules adopted under this subsection may be initially
  adopted as emergency rules if necessary to receive the maximum
  amount of federal stimulus money.  In the notice proposing the rule
  and the order adopting the rule, the commissioner must state the
  reasons why the commissioner believes modifications to program
  requirements are necessary to receive the maximum amount of federal
  stimulus money under the applicable federal law.  The agency shall
  apply for, receive, and expend or grant the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available for the program as modified by
  rule of the commissioner.
         (d)  When the agency determines that federal stimulus money
  is available for a purpose within the agency's general mission but
  that there is no program administered by the agency, another state
  governmental entity, or directly by local school districts under
  which the federal stimulus money may be spent even if program
  modifications are made to conform to federal requirements, the
  commissioner by rule shall create a program consistent with the
  agency's general mission and federal requirements and the agency
  shall apply for, receive, and expend the federal stimulus money
  under the program created by rule.  Rules adopted under this
  subsection may be initially adopted as emergency rules if necessary
  to receive the maximum amount of federal stimulus money.  In the
  notice proposing the rule and the order adopting the rule, the
  commissioner must state the reasons why the commissioner believes
  no program currently exists under which, even with modifications,
  the agency, another state governmental entity, or local school
  districts could apply for, receive, and expend federal stimulus
  money available for the particular purpose of the new program under
  the applicable federal law.
         (e)  Rules adopted under this section must be consistent with
  any legislation enacted by the 81st Legislature that becomes law
  that addresses an issue addressed by the rules. As the purpose of
  the rules is to apply for, receive, and expend federal stimulus
  money, rules adopted under this section must also be consistent
  with any provisions prescribed by the legislature in an Act of the
  legislature appropriating the federal funds to the agency that
  detail, limit, or direct, in a manner consistent with federal
  requirements, how the money may be spent.
         (f)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), rules adopted
  under this section expire September 1, 2011, together with any new
  program created by the rules and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rules. A rule adopted under this
  section may be readopted by the commissioner after that date only to
  the extent that the rule is consistent with and authorized under
  then existing state law.
         (g)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), this section
  expires September 1, 2011.
         (h)  A rule adopted under this section, together with any new
  program created by the rule and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rule, may be extended beyond the
  September 1, 2011, expiration date if at any time before that date,
  including during the time that the rule is being considered for
  adoption, the governor finds that the rule must expire at a later
  date under the requirements of federal law in order to receive the
  federal stimulus money for the particular program addressed by the
  rule and the governor by proclamation extends the effective date of
  the rule to a date certain after September 1, 2011, for that
  purpose.  If the governor acts under this subsection, this section
  is continued in effect after September 1, 2011, for the limited
  purpose of governing a rule adopted under this section before that
  date that was extended by proclamation of the governor.
         SECTION 4.  TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION COORDINATING BOARD.  
  Subchapter B, Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
  Section 61.0219 to read as follows:
         Sec. 61.0219.  AUTHORITY TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE MAXIMUM
  AMOUNT OF FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS MONEY; DUTIES, RESTRICTIONS,
  AND LIMITATIONS.  (a)  The board shall take action in accordance
  with this section to apply for and receive the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available to this state for expenditure by
  or through the board. As part of its activities under this section
  the board may apply for, receive, and grant to institutions of
  higher education federal stimulus money, but this section does not
  prohibit an institution of higher education from directly applying
  for, receiving, and expending federal stimulus money.  The board,
  for purposes of this section, shall study appropriate provisions of
  the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. No.
  111-5) and any subsequent federal economic stimulus legislation
  that may make federal stimulus money available to the board and any
  federal regulations and executive orders connected to the federal
  legislation to determine:
               (1)  the extent to which the board has sufficient
  authority under existing state law to apply for, receive, and
  expend or grant federal stimulus money through existing state
  programs;
               (2)  the extent to which federal stimulus money would
  be available for expenditure by or through the board under existing
  state programs provided that one or more requirements applicable to
  the programs are modified in accordance with the requirements of
  federal law; and
               (3)  the extent to which federal stimulus money is
  available for programs connected to the board's general mission but
  for which there is not currently a program authorized under state
  law.
         (b)  In applying for and receiving the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available to this state for expenditure by
  or through the board, the board shall whenever possible apply for,
  receive, and expend or grant the money in accordance with an
  existing state program for which no modifications to applicable
  program requirements are necessary under federal law.
         (c)  When the board determines that modifications to the
  requirements applicable to an existing program are necessary under
  federal law to receive and expend or grant the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money, the board shall adopt rules that modify the
  requirements applicable to the existing program to the minimum
  extent necessary to comply with applicable federal requirements.  
  Rules adopted under this subsection may be initially adopted as
  emergency rules if necessary to receive the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money. In its notice proposing the rule and its
  order adopting the rule, the board must state the reasons why the
  board believes modifications to program requirements are necessary
  to receive the maximum amount of federal stimulus money under the
  applicable federal law.  The board shall apply for, receive, and
  expend or grant the maximum amount of federal stimulus money
  available for the program as modified by board rule.
         (d)  When the board determines that federal stimulus money is
  available for a purpose within the board's general mission but that
  there is no program administered by the board or another state
  governmental entity under which the federal stimulus money may be
  spent even if program modifications are made to conform to federal
  requirements, the board by rule shall create a program consistent
  with the board's general mission and federal requirements and shall
  apply for, receive, and expend the federal stimulus money under the
  program created by rule. Rules adopted under this subsection may be
  initially adopted as emergency rules if necessary to receive the
  maximum amount of federal stimulus money.  In its notice proposing
  the rule and its order adopting the rule, the board must state the
  reasons why the board believes no program currently exists under
  which, even with modifications, the board or another state
  governmental entity could apply for, receive, and expend federal
  stimulus money available for the particular purpose of the new
  program under the applicable federal law.
         (e)  Rules adopted under this section must be consistent with
  any legislation enacted by the 81st Legislature that becomes law
  that addresses an issue addressed by the rules. As the purpose of
  the rules is to apply for, receive, and expend federal stimulus
  money, rules adopted under this section must also be consistent
  with any provisions prescribed by the legislature in an Act of the
  legislature appropriating the federal funds to the board that
  detail, limit, or direct, in a manner consistent with federal
  requirements, how the money may be spent.
         (f)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), rules adopted
  under this section expire September 1, 2011, together with any new
  program created by the rules and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rules.  A rule adopted under this
  section may be readopted by the board after that date only to the
  extent that the rule is consistent with and authorized under then
  existing state law.
         (g)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), this section
  expires September 1, 2011.
         (h)  A rule adopted under this section, together with any new
  program created by the rule and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rule, may be extended beyond the
  September 1, 2011, expiration date if at any time before that date,
  including during the time that the rule is being considered for
  adoption, the governor finds that the rule must expire at a later
  date under the requirements of federal law in order to receive the
  federal stimulus money for the particular program addressed by the
  rule and the governor by proclamation extends the effective date of
  the rule to a date certain after September 1, 2011, for that
  purpose.  If the governor acts under this subsection, this section
  is continued in effect after September 1, 2011, for the limited
  purpose of governing a rule adopted under this section before that
  date that was extended by proclamation of the governor.
         SECTION 5.  TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.  Subchapter
  A, Chapter 201, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section
  201.004 to read as follows:
         Sec. 201.004.  AUTHORITY TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE MAXIMUM
  AMOUNT OF FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS MONEY; DUTIES, RESTRICTIONS,
  AND LIMITATIONS.  (a)  The department shall take action in
  accordance with this section to apply for and receive the maximum
  amount of federal stimulus money available to this state for
  expenditure by or through the department.  To that end the
  department shall study appropriate provisions of the American
  Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. No. 111-5) and any
  subsequent federal economic stimulus legislation that may make
  federal stimulus money available to the department and any federal
  regulations and executive orders connected to the federal
  legislation to determine:
               (1)  the extent to which the department has sufficient
  authority under existing state law to apply for, receive, and
  expend or grant federal stimulus money through existing state
  programs;
               (2)  the extent to which federal stimulus money would
  be available for expenditure by or through the department under
  existing state programs provided that one or more requirements
  applicable to the programs are modified in accordance with the
  requirements of federal law; and
               (3)  the extent to which federal stimulus money is
  available for programs connected to the department's general
  mission but for which there is not currently a program authorized
  under state law.
         (b)  In applying for and receiving the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available to this state for expenditure by
  or through the department, the department shall whenever possible
  apply for, receive, and expend or grant the money in accordance with
  an existing state program for which no modifications to applicable
  program requirements are necessary under federal law.
         (c)  When the department determines that modifications to
  the requirements applicable to an existing program are necessary
  under federal law to receive and expend or grant the maximum amount
  of federal stimulus money, the commission shall adopt rules that
  modify the requirements applicable to the existing program to the
  minimum extent necessary to comply with applicable federal
  requirements. Rules adopted under this subsection may be initially
  adopted as emergency rules if necessary to receive the maximum
  amount of federal stimulus money.  In its notice proposing the rule
  and its order adopting the rule, the commission must state the
  reasons why the commission believes modifications to program
  requirements are necessary to receive the maximum amount of federal
  stimulus money under the applicable federal law.  The department
  shall apply for, receive, and expend or grant the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available for the program as modified by
  commission rule.
         (d)  When the department determines that federal stimulus
  money is available for a purpose within the department's general
  mission but that there is no program administered by the department
  or another state governmental entity under which the federal
  stimulus money may be spent even if program modifications are made
  to conform to federal requirements, the commission by rule shall
  create a program consistent with the department's general mission
  and federal requirements and the department shall apply for,
  receive, and expend the federal stimulus money under the program
  created by rule.  Rules adopted under this subsection may be
  initially adopted as emergency rules if necessary to receive the
  maximum amount of federal stimulus money.  In its notice proposing
  the rule and its order adopting the rule, the commission must state
  the reasons why the commission believes no program currently exists
  under which, even with modifications, the department or another
  state governmental entity could apply for, receive, and expend
  federal stimulus money available for the particular purpose of the
  new program under the applicable federal law.
         (e)  Rules adopted under this section must be consistent with
  any legislation enacted by the 81st Legislature that becomes law
  that addresses an issue addressed by the rules. As the purpose of
  the rules is to apply for, receive, and expend federal stimulus
  money, rules adopted under this section must also be consistent
  with any provisions prescribed by the legislature in an Act of the
  legislature appropriating the federal funds to the department that
  detail, limit, or direct, in a manner consistent with federal
  requirements, how the money may be spent.
         (f)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), rules adopted
  under this section expire September 1, 2011, together with any new
  program created by the rules and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rules. A rule adopted under this
  section may be readopted by the commission after that date only to
  the extent that the rule is consistent with and authorized under
  then existing state law.
         (g)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), this section
  expires September 1, 2011.
         (h)  A rule adopted under this section, together with any new
  program created by the rule and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rule, may be extended beyond the
  September 1, 2011, expiration date if at any time before that date,
  including during the time that the rule is being considered for
  adoption, the governor finds that the rule must expire at a later
  date under the requirements of federal law in order to receive the
  federal stimulus money for the particular program addressed by the
  rule and the governor by proclamation extends the effective date of
  the rule to a date certain after September 1, 2011, for that
  purpose.  If the governor acts under this subsection, this section
  is continued in effect after September 1, 2011, for the limited
  purpose of governing a rule adopted under this section before that
  date that was extended by proclamation of the governor.
         SECTION 6.  GENERAL PROVISION FOR OTHER STATE GOVERNMENTAL
  ENTITIES. Subtitle G, Title 10, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Chapter 2311 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 2311.  FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS GRANTS
         Sec. 2311.001.  APPLICABILITY.  (a)  This chapter applies to
  any state governmental entity that may be eligible to apply for,
  receive, and expend or grant federal stimulus money under the
  American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Pub. L. No. 111-5)
  or any subsequent federal economic stimulus legislation.
         (b)  This chapter does not apply to the Department of Public
  Safety, the Health and Human Services Commission or a health and
  human services agency as defined by Section 531.001, the Texas
  Education Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or
  the Texas Department of Transportation.
         Sec. 2311.002.  AUTHORITY TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE MAXIMUM
  AMOUNT OF FEDERAL ECONOMIC STIMULUS MONEY; DUTIES, RESTRICTIONS,
  AND LIMITATIONS.  (a)  If it is cost-effective to do so, a state
  governmental entity shall take action in accordance with this
  chapter to apply for and receive the maximum amount of federal
  stimulus money available to this state for expenditure by or
  through the state governmental entity.  To that end the state
  governmental entity shall, if it is cost-effective to do so, study
  appropriate provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment
  Act of 2009 and any subsequent federal economic stimulus
  legislation that may make federal stimulus money available to the
  state governmental entity and any federal regulations and executive
  orders connected to the federal legislation to determine:
               (1)  the extent to which the state governmental entity
  has sufficient authority under existing state law to apply for,
  receive, and expend or grant federal stimulus money through
  existing state programs;
               (2)  the extent to which federal stimulus money would
  be available for expenditure by or through the state governmental
  entity under existing state programs provided that one or more
  requirements applicable to the programs are modified in accordance
  with the requirements of federal law; and
               (3)  the extent to which federal stimulus money is
  available for programs connected to the state governmental entity's
  general mission but for which there is not currently a program
  authorized under state law.
         (b)  In applying for and receiving the maximum amount of
  federal stimulus money available to this state for expenditure by
  or through the state governmental entity, the state governmental
  entity shall whenever possible apply for, receive, and expend or
  grant the money in accordance with an existing state program for
  which no modifications to applicable program requirements are
  necessary under federal law.
         (c)  When the state governmental entity determines that
  modifications to the requirements applicable to an existing program
  are necessary under federal law to receive and expend or grant the
  maximum amount of federal stimulus money, the state governmental
  entity shall adopt rules that modify the requirements applicable to
  the existing program to the minimum extent necessary to comply with
  applicable federal requirements.  Rules adopted under this
  subsection may be initially adopted as emergency rules if necessary
  to receive the maximum amount of federal stimulus money. In its
  notice proposing the rule and its order adopting the rule, the state
  governmental entity must state the reasons why it believes
  modifications to program requirements are necessary to receive the
  maximum amount of federal stimulus money under the applicable
  federal law. The state governmental entity shall apply for,
  receive, and expend or grant the maximum amount of federal stimulus
  money available for the program as modified by its rule.
         (d)  When the state governmental entity determines that
  federal stimulus money is available for a purpose within the
  entity's general mission but that there is no program administered
  by any state governmental entity under which the federal stimulus
  money may be spent even if program modifications are made to conform
  to federal requirements, the state governmental entity by rule
  shall create a program consistent with its general mission and
  federal requirements and shall apply for, receive, and expend the
  federal stimulus money under the program created by rule. Rules
  adopted under this subsection may be initially adopted as emergency
  rules if necessary to receive the maximum amount of federal
  stimulus money.  In its notice proposing the rule and its order
  adopting the rule, the state governmental entity must state the
  reasons why it believes no program currently exists under which,
  even with modifications, any state governmental entity could apply
  for, receive, and expend federal stimulus money available for the
  particular purpose of the new program under the applicable federal
  law.
         (e)  Rules adopted under this section must be consistent with
  any legislation enacted by the 81st Legislature that becomes law
  that addresses an issue addressed by the rules. As the purpose of
  the rules is to apply for, receive, and expend federal stimulus
  money, rules adopted under this section must also be consistent
  with any provisions prescribed by the legislature in an Act of the
  legislature appropriating the federal funds to the state
  governmental entity that detail, limit, or direct, in a manner
  consistent with federal requirements, how the money may be spent.
         Sec. 2311.003.  EXPIRATION.  (a)  Except as provided by
  Subsection (c), rules adopted under this chapter expire September
  1, 2011, together with any new program created by the rules and any
  modification to existing program requirements made by the rules.  A
  rule adopted under this chapter may be readopted by the state
  governmental entity after that date only to the extent that the rule
  is consistent with and authorized under then existing state law.
         (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (c), this chapter
  expires September 1, 2011.
         (c)  A rule adopted under this chapter, together with any new
  program created by the rule and any modification to existing
  program requirements made by the rule, may be extended beyond the
  September 1, 2011, expiration date if at any time before that date,
  including during the time that the rule is being considered for
  adoption, the governor finds that the rule must expire at a later
  date under the requirements of federal law in order to receive the
  federal stimulus money for the particular program addressed by the
  rule and the governor by proclamation extends the effective date of
  the rule to a date certain after September 1, 2011, for that
  purpose.  If the governor acts under this subsection, this chapter
  is continued in effect after September 1, 2011, for the limited
  purpose of governing a rule adopted under this chapter before that
  date that was extended by proclamation of the governor.
         SECTION 7.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  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 on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.