81R6679 ACP-D
By: Ellis S.B. No. 1861
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to certain programs and pilot programs administered by the
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
amended by adding Sections 2306.0971 and 2306.0972 to read as
follows:
Sec. 2306.0971. SUPPLEMENTAL WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM. (a) In addition to the Energy Services Program for
Low-Income Individuals established under Section 2306.097, the
department shall establish a program that provides financial
assistance for residential weatherization measures that do not
qualify for the state's allocation of federal funds under the Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program but that, if performed, would
allow a person to receive that federal assistance.
(b) The department by rule shall establish eligibility
criteria for a person to receive financial assistance for
residential weatherization measures under this section. The
criteria must ensure that any weatherization measures performed
will allow a person to receive federal assistance under the Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
(c) The department shall collaborate with the state energy
conservation office and the Energy Systems Laboratory at the Texas
Engineering Experiment Station of The Texas A&M University System
to identify cost-effective residential weatherization measures
that allow persons to qualify for the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program.
Sec. 2306.0972. WEATHERIZATION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The
department may establish a pilot program to study the effectiveness
of weatherization measures in increasing residential energy
efficiency for individuals and families of low income.
(b) If the department establishes a pilot program under this
section, not later than December 1, 2010, the department shall
submit a report to the legislature regarding its findings and
recommendations under the pilot program.
(c) This section expires September 1, 2011.
SECTION 2. Subchapter K, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2306.260 to read as follows:
Sec. 2306.260. USE OF CERTAIN FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO FUND
PILOT PROGRAMS. The department may fund existing pilot programs or
create new pilot programs as appropriate using federal supplemental
appropriations under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009 (Pub. L. No. 111-5) or any other similar federal legislation
that is enacted on or after January 1, 2009. This section expires
December 31, 2011.
SECTION 3. The Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs shall adopt the rules required by Section 2306.0971,
Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 1,
2009.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.