88R4421 JAM-F
By: Campos, Bernal H.B. No. 834
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment by the Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs of a pilot program to solicit donations made
by text message for the benefit of local programs that provide
services to homeless individuals and families in certain
municipalities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter K, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2306.2582 to read as follows:
Sec. 2306.2582. HOMELESS "TEXT-TO-DONATE" PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) The department may implement and administer a pilot program to
solicit donations made by text message for the benefit of local
programs that provide services to homeless individuals and families
in municipalities with a population of 285,000 or more. If
implemented, the program shall:
(1) facilitate the process by which a person may use
text messaging to make a private donation to help homeless
individuals and families;
(2) encourage private donations to be made for the
benefit of local programs that prevent and eliminate homelessness;
and
(3) fund local programs that provide emergency housing
and transportation to homeless individuals and families.
(b) The department may adopt rules to govern the
implementation and administration of the program, including rules
that:
(1) provide for the designation of a
telecommunications carrier and text messaging service used for the
program;
(2) facilitate the acquisition of a statewide phone
number and donation code;
(3) provide the ability for an individual to make a
donation by text message in an amount chosen by the individual, to
charge the donation to the individual's phone bill or credit card,
and to select the municipality that will benefit from the donation;
(4) protect the confidentiality of donor information;
(5) establish a fund in the department to receive and
disburse money under the program;
(6) facilitate the coordination with municipalities
for the disbursement of money received under the program;
(7) establish qualifications for local organizations
to request and receive donations made through the program; and
(8) facilitate the promotion of the program to the
general public including the placement of signage in areas of a
municipality that may be impacted by large populations of homeless
persons.
(c) Of the money donated under the program, the department
shall allocate:
(1) not less than 65 percent for costs associated with
housing homeless individuals and families;
(2) not less than 20 percent for transportation costs;
(3) not less than five percent for the promotion of the
program; and
(4) not more than 10 percent for overhead and
administrative costs.
(d) The department may assign personnel to coordinate the
administration and implementation of the program.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.