82R2301 AJZ-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1759
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the application process for single family housing loans
offered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2306.079 to read as follows:
Sec. 2306.079. APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SINGLE FAMILY
HOUSING LOANS. (a) The department shall establish and maintain an
electronic tracking and notification service by which applicants
for single family housing loans offered by the department may
receive updated information regarding the application process and
their specific application status:
(1) through individualized electronic mail sent to an
applicant during each stage of the application process by the
department; and
(2) by entering on the department's Internet website
the tracking number assigned to a particular application.
(b) Information made available to each applicant regarding
the application process must include:
(1) the projected closing date of the loan;
(2) the projected time required for evaluating the
application during each stage of the application process; and
(3) staff telephone numbers and e-mail addresses for
each stage of the application process.
(c) Information made available to each applicant regarding
the status of the application must include real-time communication
regarding:
(1) the movement of the application from one stage of
the application process to another; and
(2) any major delay or unexpected department action
that could affect the actual closing date of the loan.
(d) To provide increased public access to internal
department decision-making regarding the processing of single
family housing loan applications, the department by rule shall
establish objective criteria that will govern any special
consideration or priority given to applications for single family
housing loans, other than criteria specifically required or
permitted by law.
(e) The department shall expedite or otherwise handle
single family housing loan applications outside the ordinary course
of application processing only as required or permitted by law or
department rule.
(f) On the department's Internet website, the department
shall identify and describe the rationale or basis for any special
consideration or priority given to specific single family housing
loan applications that were expedited or otherwise handled outside
the ordinary course of application processing.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2011, the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs shall establish the
electronic tracking and notification service required by Section
2306.079, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.