Bill Text: TX SB32 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the services provided by a colonia self-help center.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-30 - Left pending in committee [SB32 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-SB32-Introduced.html

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84R1353 JAM-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 32

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the services provided by a colonia self-help center.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 2306.586(a), (b), (c), and (d),
Government Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The purpose of a self-help center is to assist
individuals and families of low income and very low income to
finance, refinance, construct, improve, or maintain a safe,
suitable home and otherwise improve living conditions in the
colonias' designated service area or in another area the department
has determined is suitable.
(b) A self-help center shall set a goal to improve the
living conditions of residents in the colonias designated under
Section 2306.583(b) [2306.583(a)(2)] within a two-year period
after a contract is awarded under this subchapter.
(c) A self-help center may serve individuals and families of
low income and very low income by:
(1) providing assistance in obtaining loans or grants
to build a home;
(2) teaching construction skills necessary to repair
or build a home;
(3) providing model home plans;
(4) operating a program to rent or provide tools for
home construction and improvement for the benefit of property
owners in colonias who are building or repairing a residence or
installing necessary residential infrastructure;
(5) helping to obtain, construct, access, or improve
the service and utility infrastructure designed to service
residences in a colonia, including potable water, wastewater
disposal, drainage, streets, and utilities;
(6) surveying or platting residential property that an
individual purchased without the benefit of a legal survey, plat,
or record;
(7) providing credit and debt counseling related to
home purchase and finance;
(8) applying for grants and loans to provide housing
and other needed community improvements;
(9) providing other services that the self-help
center, with the approval of the department, determines are
necessary to assist colonia residents in improving their [physical]
living conditions, including help in:
(A) securing employment;
(B) establishing or expanding small businesses;
(C) managing personal finances; or
(D) obtaining suitable alternative housing
outside of a colonia's area;
(10) providing assistance in obtaining loans or grants
to enable an individual or a family to acquire fee simple title to
property that originally was purchased under a contract for a deed,
contract for sale, or other executory contract; and
(11) providing monthly programs to educate
individuals and families on their rights and responsibilities as
property owners.
(d) A self-help center may not provide grants, financing, or
mortgage loan services to purchase, build, rehabilitate, or finance
construction or improvements to a home or otherwise improve living
conditions in a colonia if water service and suitable wastewater
disposal are not available.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.