BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 716 By: Gervin-Hawkins Urban Affairs Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Concerns have been raised regarding mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Research has found sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people. Additionally, studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development. H.B. 716 seeks to address these concerns by providing for a study and report regarding mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by financial assistance administered by the TDHCA. CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS In provisions set to expire on September 1, 2023, H.B. 716 requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), using existing resources, to conduct a study on the number of incidents and causes of mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by financial assistance administered by the TDHCA. The bill requires the TDHCA, not later than September 1, 2022, to prepare and submit to the legislature a written report that does the following: summarizes the results of the study; and recommends a course of action for preventing and remediating incidents and causes of mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by such financial assistance. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2021.
BILL ANALYSIS
# BILL ANALYSIS
H.B. 716
By: Gervin-Hawkins
Urban Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)
H.B. 716
By: Gervin-Hawkins
Urban Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Concerns have been raised regarding mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Research has found sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people. Additionally, studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development. H.B. 716 seeks to address these concerns by providing for a study and report regarding mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by financial assistance administered by the TDHCA.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS In provisions set to expire on September 1, 2023, H.B. 716 requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), using existing resources, to conduct a study on the number of incidents and causes of mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by financial assistance administered by the TDHCA. The bill requires the TDHCA, not later than September 1, 2022, to prepare and submit to the legislature a written report that does the following: summarizes the results of the study; and recommends a course of action for preventing and remediating incidents and causes of mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by such financial assistance.
EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2021.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Concerns have been raised regarding mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by financial assistance administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA). Research has found sufficient evidence to link indoor exposure to mold with upper respiratory tract symptoms, cough, and wheeze in otherwise healthy people. Additionally, studies have suggested a potential link of early mold exposure to development of asthma in some children, particularly among children who may be genetically susceptible to asthma development. H.B. 716 seeks to address these concerns by providing for a study and report regarding mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by financial assistance administered by the TDHCA.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
In provisions set to expire on September 1, 2023, H.B. 716 requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), using existing resources, to conduct a study on the number of incidents and causes of mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by financial assistance administered by the TDHCA. The bill requires the TDHCA, not later than September 1, 2022, to prepare and submit to the legislature a written report that does the following:
summarizes the results of the study; and
recommends a course of action for preventing and remediating incidents and causes of mold contamination in housing developments that are wholly or partly supported by such financial assistance.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2021.