81R27269 KFF-D
By: Naishtat, Walle H.B. No. 1627
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 1627:
By: Rose C.S.H.B. No. 1627
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program payments to
assist certain households receiving food stamp benefits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2306.097, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 2306.097. ENERGY SERVICES PROGRAM FOR LOW-INCOME
INDIVIDUALS. (a) The Energy Services Program for Low-Income
Individuals shall operate in conjunction with the community
services block grant program and has jurisdiction and
responsibility for administration of the following elements of the
State Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, from whatever sources
funded:
(1) the Energy Crisis Intervention Program;
(2) the weatherization program; and
(3) the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
(b) Subject to applicable state and federal law, the
department shall enter into an interagency agreement with the
Health and Human Services Commission to provide a payment of $1 each
year under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to each
household that receives food stamp benefits under the food stamp
program administered under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, if the
household is not otherwise receiving a standard utility allowance
under the food stamp program and if the payment will likely result
in an increase in the household's food stamp benefits. The
interagency agreement entered into under this subsection must:
(1) specify that the commission will issue the
payments;
(2) require the department to transfer to the
commission funds, including sufficient administrative funds, to
provide the payments; and
(3) specify the method that the commission will use
for providing the payments.
SECTION 2. (a) Not later than November 1, 2009, the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the Health and
Human Services Commission shall enter into the interagency
agreement required by Section 2306.097(b), Government Code, as
added by this Act.
(b) Not later than December 1, 2009, the Health and Human
Services Commission shall begin making payments under the
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to recipients of food
stamp benefits under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, as required
under Section 2306.097(b), Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.