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 ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR
CERTAIN WEATHERIZATION-RELATED MEASURES. (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-related measures that do not qualify for federal
funds under the weatherization assistance program for low-income
persons 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-related measures described by
Subsection (a). The criteria must ensure that any
weatherization-related measures performed will allow a person to
receive federal assistance under the weatherization assistance
program. The income criteria must be equivalent to the income
criteria for a person to receive federal assistance under the
weatherization 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 does not make an appropriation. A
provision in this Act that creates a new governmental program,
creates a new entitlement, or imposes a new duty on a governmental
entity is not mandatory during a fiscal period for which the
legislature has not made a specific appropriation to implement the
provision.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.