HBA-KMH H.B. 2147 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2147
By: Flores
Urban Affairs
4/5/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

According to the publication "Bordering the Future" produced by the State
Comptroller of Public Accounts in July, 1998, Texas does not have adequate
affordable housing.  The Texas General Land Office is in charge of managing
state-owned property. 

H.B. 2147 requires the Texas General Land Office, through the asset
management division, to identify state-owned property which could be used
effectively for affordable housing and to consult with the Texas Department
of Housing and Community Affairs to coordinate these efforts. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 31.156, Natural Resources Code, by amending
Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e), as follows: 

(b) Clarifies the scope of recommendations for alternative uses required to
be given by the asset management division (division) of the General Land
Office to the commissioner of the General Land Office regarding the use of
private property or a real estate transaction involving property to include
recommendations addressing the potential for development of property to
provide: 
_affordable housing, 
_commercial or agricultural lease of the property, 
_other real estate transactions, or 
_other uses the division may deem in the best interest of the state.

(e) Requires the division to consult with the Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs (TDHCA) in determining whether property may
potentially be developed to provide affordable housing under Subsection
(b).  Requires the division and TDHCA to estimate the current market value
of any property identified as having the potential for development to
provide affordable housing. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.