MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

Tuesday, January 28, 2020

1:30 PM

Brownsville, TX

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations was held on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Salon Cassia Room, in Brownsville, TX.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair	Senator Charles Schwertner, Vice Chair
Senator Carol Alvarado
Senator Donna Campbell
Senator Pat Fallon
Senator José Menéndez
Senator Robert Nichols

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The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:34 PM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair recognized the members of the Committee for opening remarks. Mayor of the City of Brownsville, The Honorable Trey Mendez, and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley President, Guy Bailey, gave welcoming remarks.

The Chair laid out the Committee’s interim charges:

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program: Review existing regulations governing the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program and the Qualified Allocation Plan to determine whether regulations exist that unnecessarily increase the cost of developing and maintaining affordable housing. Make recommendations to provide regulatory relief and provide greater development of affordable housing in Texas.

Federal Housing Review: Study all federal housing programs accessible to Texas. Make recommendations that ensure the state maximizes the use of those programs.

Infrastructure Resiliency: Examine the authority special purpose districts have to generate natural disaster resilient infrastructure. Determine ways state government can work with special purpose districts to mitigate future flooding and promote more resilient infrastructure. Make recommendations on how special purpose districts may use their statutory authority to assist in mitigating damage from future natural disasters.

Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Intergovernmental Relations passed by the 86th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:

· Senate Bill 1303, relating to landowner rights in a city's extraterritorial jurisdiction;

· Senate Bill 1474, relating to private activity bonds; and

· House Bill 2330, relating to simplifying disaster assistance.

The Chair opened invited testimony on the Committee’s interim charges.

Invited testimony was heard. Witnesses testifying and registering are shown on the attached list.

At 3:57 PM Senator Menéndez assumed the chair.

The Chair moved that invited testimony be closed and opened public testimony on the interim charges.

The Chair moved that public testimony on the interim charges be closed. Without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 4:57 PM Senator Campbell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair

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Favianna Moreno, Clerk