BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1371

By: Gonzalez, Naomi

Border & Intergovernmental Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Housing authorities provide safe housing to low-income families throughout Texas and such housing often is the only decent option for low-income elderly or persons with disabilities.  Some housing authorities, such as the housing authority of the City of El Paso, service historically low-income areas managing thousands of public housing units and administering thousands of housing choice vouchers.  These authorities perform a vital function for urban areas and can be recognized for their performance by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

H.B. 1371 seeks to allow housing authorities in certain cities to reserve the limited parking space available in housing complexes for tenants and ensure that only street-legal vehicles are parked at the complex by restricting parking to vehicles owned by a tenant and by requiring that the vehicle have a current inspection certificate, registration, and liability insurance.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1371 amends the Property Code to authorize a municipal housing authority located in a municipality that has a population of more than 500,000 and is not more than 50 miles from an international border, or a public facility corporation, affiliate, or subsidiary of the authority, to require that vehicles parked in a community of the authority, corporation, affiliate, or subsidiary  be registered with the housing authority; display proof of current vehicle registration in Texas and a current state inspection certificate; and  be covered by liability insurance in an amount sufficient to constitute proof of financial responsibility required by the Texas Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.