Texas Senate Bill SB1943

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/20/09

Caption

Relating to state and municipal actions to ensure compliance with fair housing requirements.

Impact

The bill proposes the establishment of the Governor's Fair Housing Advisory Council, which consists of various state agency heads responsible for overseeing housing and urban development. This council is tasked with assessing the effectiveness of existing programs and ensuring that they are designed to facilitate fair housing. By establishing an official body dedicated to fair housing, the bill represents a significant step towards coordinated efforts to ensure state and municipal compliance with fair housing goals, which may lead to improved access to housing and urban development opportunities for underserved populations.

Summary

SB1943 is a legislative proposal aimed at enhancing compliance with fair housing requirements across state and municipal actions in Texas. This bill mandates that each state agency must execute its housing and urban development programs in a way that actively champions the goals of fair housing. By placing an emphasis on affirmative action, the bill seeks to address longstanding housing inequalities in urban development and enforce fair treatment across communities, particularly for marginalized groups.

Contention

While proponents of SB1943 emphasize the necessity of fair housing compliance and the need to rectify historical injustices, there may be concerns regarding the scope of the bill's administrative requirements on local governments and state agencies. Opponents might argue that these regulations could lead to bureaucratic complexities or resource strains on municipalities, especially those already dealing with limited funding. Furthermore, the practical implementation of the council's recommendations could also draw scrutiny, especially if it leads to stringent oversight of local real estate practices and policies.