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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the administration of the homeless housing and services |
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program by the Texas Department of 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. Subchapter K, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 2306.2585 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2306.2585. HOMELESS HOUSING AND SERVICES PROGRAM. (a) |
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The department shall administer a homeless housing and services |
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program in each municipality in this state with a population of |
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285,500 or more to: |
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(1) provide for the construction, development, or |
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procurement of housing for homeless persons; and |
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(2) provide local programs to prevent and eliminate |
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homelessness. |
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(b) The department shall adopt rules governing the |
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administration of the homeless housing and services program, |
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including rules that: |
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(1) provide for the allocation of any available |
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funding; and |
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(2) provide detailed guidelines as to the scope of the |
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local programs in the municipalities described by Subsection (a). |
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(c) The department may use any available revenue, including |
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legislative appropriations, and shall solicit and accept gifts and |
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grants for the purposes of this section. The department shall use |
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gifts and grants received for the purposes of this section before |
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using any other revenue. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |