| | | | |
|
| The Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade will meet on |
|
| Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. in room E1.016 of the Capitol |
|
| Extension to consider organizational matters and to hear invited and |
|
| public testimony on the following interim charges: |
|
|
| Charge #1 - Review the effectiveness of the Coordination of Colonia |
|
| Initiatives and related measures addressed by the Committee and develop |
|
| recommendations to better address substandard communities across the state |
|
| where no potable water or sewage services are provided. Review state and |
|
| local laws and policies relating to development and growth in |
|
| unincorporated regions of the state and develop recommendations aimed at |
|
| providing local units of government the necessary local control tools to |
|
| curtail the spread of colonia-like developments in their jurisdictions. |
|
|
| Charge #2 - Examine effectiveness of state homeownership programs serving |
|
| colonia residents. Study the need for contract for deed conversions in the |
|
| colonias within 150 miles of the Texas/Mexico border. Examine existing |
|
| statute regarding statewide distribution of the Texas Bootstrap Loan |
|
| Program and recommend changes to increase the state’s ability to expedite |
|
| allocation of funds. Develop recommendations to address abusive lending |
|
| practices in distressed areas and fair housing violations in the |
|
|
|
| Charge #7 - Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the |
|
| Senate Committee on International Relations and Trade, 81st Legislature, |
|
| Regular and Called Sessions, and make recommendations for any legislation |
|
| needed to improve, enhance, and/or complete implementation. |
|
|
| *Review the housing initiatives addressed by the Committee and work |
|
| with the appropriate housing officials to develop recommendations to |
|
| better address the housing needs of smaller and distressed communities in |
|
| Texas. Develop recommendations for the cost-effective use of existing |
|
| housing monies, leveraging of funds and initiatives for new funding |
|
|
|
| Those wishing to give public testimony, please limit prepared remarks to 3 |
|
| minutes. If submitting written testimony, please provide 20 copies, with |
|
| your name on each copy, to the Committee during the hearing. |
|
|
|