By: Raymond, Naishtat, Elkins H.B. No. 1428
(Senate Sponsor - Zaffirini)
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 4, 2015;
May 4, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on
Intergovernmental Relations; May 13, 2015, reported favorably by
the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; May 13, 2015, sent to
printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the administration of housing funds set aside for
persons with disabilities through the homebuyer assistance
program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2306.111, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c-3) to read as follows:
(c-3) In administering funds that are set aside for persons
with disabilities under Subsection (c)(2) and allocated through the
homebuyer assistance program, the department:
(1) may not require a person to enter into a contract
to purchase a home before applying for or reserving funds allocated
through the program; and
(2) by rule shall implement a preapproval process
under which a person:
(A) before funds allocated through the program
are made available, may establish eligibility to receive those
funds; and
(B) has an adequate period of at least 90 days in
which to locate a home for purchase using funds made available under
the program.
SECTION 2. The Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs shall adopt rules under Section 2306.111(c-3), Government
Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 31, 2015.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an application for housing funds that are administered through
the homebuyer assistance program submitted to the Texas Department
of Housing and Community Affairs on or after the date the rules
adopted by the department under Section 2306.111(c-3), Government
Code, as added by this Act, take effect. An application for housing
funds submitted before the date the rules take effect is governed by
the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
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