BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1301

By: Guillen

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Individuals and families living in colonias face some of the most difficult challenges in Texas, and although colonia self-help centers have been incredibly helpful in assisting colonia residents with home and property issues, there are concerns that these residents lack adequate resources and education to help them develop professional skills and achieve financial literacy. H.B. 1301 seeks to address these concerns by expanding the purpose of a colonia self-help center to include assistance to individuals and families of low income and very low income to improve living conditions in an applicable area and to include the provision of services to assist colonia residents in developing professional skills and achieving financial literacy.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1301 amends the Government Code to expand the purpose of a colonia self-help center to include assistance to individuals and families of low income and very low income to improve living conditions in an applicable area. The bill makes related changes, including authorizing a center to provide services to assist colonia residents in developing professional skills and achieving financial literacy.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.