By: Ellis S.B. No. 1861
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain programs and pilot programs administered by the
  Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Sections 2306.0971 and 2306.0972 to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 2306.0971.  SUPPLEMENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
  CERTAIN WEATHERIZATION-RELATED MEASURES. (a)  In addition to the
  Energy Services Program for Low-Income Individuals established
  under Section 2306.097, the department shall establish a program
  that provides financial assistance for residential
  weatherization-related measures that do not qualify for federal
  funds under the weatherization assistance program for low-income
  persons but that, if performed, would allow a person to receive that
  federal assistance.
         (b)  The department by rule shall establish eligibility
  criteria for a person to receive financial assistance for
  residential weatherization-related measures described by
  Subsection (a). The criteria must ensure that any
  weatherization-related measures performed will allow a person to
  receive federal assistance under the weatherization assistance
  program. The income criteria must be equivalent to the income
  criteria for a person to receive federal assistance under the
  weatherization assistance program.
         Sec. 2306.0972.  WEATHERIZATION PILOT PROGRAM. (a)  The
  department may establish a pilot program to study the effectiveness
  of weatherization measures in increasing residential energy
  efficiency for individuals and families of low income.
         (b)  If the department establishes a pilot program under this
  section, not later than December 1, 2010, the department shall
  submit a report to the legislature regarding its findings and
  recommendations under the pilot program.
         (c)  This section expires September 1, 2011.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter K, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2306.260 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2306.260.  USE OF CERTAIN FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO FUND
  PILOT PROGRAMS. The department may fund existing pilot programs or
  create new pilot programs as appropriate using federal supplemental
  appropriations under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
  2009 (Pub. L. No. 111-5) or any other similar federal legislation
  that is enacted on or after January 1, 2009. This section expires
  December 31, 2011.
         SECTION 3.  The Texas Department of Housing and Community
  Affairs shall adopt the rules required by Section 2306.0971,
  Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 1,
  2009.
         SECTION 4.  This Act does not make an appropriation. A
  provision in this Act that creates a new governmental program,
  creates a new entitlement, or imposes a new duty on a governmental
  entity is not mandatory during a fiscal period for which the
  legislature has not made a specific appropriation to implement the
  provision.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.