81R10798 JAM-D
By: Davis of Dallas H.B. No. 3171
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the duties and programs of the Texas Department of
Housing and Community Affairs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2306.001, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 2306.001. PURPOSES. The purposes of the department
are to:
(1) assist local governments in:
(A) providing essential public services for
their residents; and
(B) overcoming financial, social, and
environmental problems;
(2) provide for the housing needs of individuals and
families of low, very low, and extremely low income and families of
moderate income;
(3) contribute to the preservation, development, and
redevelopment of neighborhoods and communities, including
cooperation in the preservation of government-assisted housing
occupied by individuals and families of very low and extremely low
income;
(4) assist the governor and the legislature in
coordinating federal and state programs affecting local
government;
(5) inform state officials and the public of the needs
of local government;
(6) serve as the lead agency for:
(A) addressing at the state level the problem of
homelessness in this state;
(B) coordinating interagency efforts to address
homelessness; and
(C) addressing at the state level and
coordinating interagency efforts to address any problem associated
with homelessness, including hunger; [and]
(7) serve as a source of information to the public
regarding all affordable housing resources and community support
services in the state; and
(8) administer programs to achieve the purposes
described by this section and implement procedures to improve the
efficiency of those programs and to maximize federal funding.
SECTION 2. Section 2306.041, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 2306.041. IMPOSITION OF PENALTY. The board shall
[may] impose an administrative penalty on a person who violates
this chapter or a rule or order adopted under this chapter.
SECTION 3. Subchapter D, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2306.085 to read as follows:
Sec. 2306.085. GENERAL ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY; STUDY. (a)
The department shall develop and implement procedures to ensure
that all programs administered by the department comply with the
requirements of this chapter and applicable federal laws.
(b) The department shall conduct a study to determine
whether the creation of new programs or expansion of existing
services would improve the department's ability to perform the
duties assigned by this chapter.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.