84R21726 KJE-D

By: Raymond, Naishtat, Elkins H.B. No. 1428

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the administration of housing funds set aside for persons with disabilities through the homebuyer assistance program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 2306.111, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c-3) to read as follows:

(c-3) In administering funds that are set aside for persons with disabilities under Subsection (c)(2) and allocated through the homebuyer assistance program, the department:

(1) may not require a person to enter into a contract to purchase a home before applying for or reserving funds allocated through the program; and

(2) by rule shall implement a preapproval process under which a person:

(A) before funds allocated through the program are made available, may establish eligibility to receive those funds; and

(B) has an adequate period of at least 90 days in which to locate a home for purchase using funds made available under the program.

SECTION 2. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs shall adopt rules under Section 2306.111(c-3), Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 31, 2015.

SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an application for housing funds that are administered through the homebuyer assistance program submitted to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs on or after the date the rules adopted by the department under Section 2306.111(c-3), Government Code, as added by this Act, take effect. An application for housing funds submitted before the date the rules take effect is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.