HBA-MPA H.B. 3790 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3790 By: McClendon Urban Affairs 3/22/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, housing authorities, in an effort to assist public housing tenants in becoming home owners, have recruited tenants for their entry-level jobs and have conducted lease-purchase programs. This policy adheres to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development guidelines requiring housing authorities to make an effort to provide job opportunities. A recent opinion (JC0018 (1999)) by the attorney general has rendered this practice unlawful under current law. The opinion states that Chapter 392 (Housing Authorities Law), Local Government Code, "prohibits an employee of the housing authority from leasing or purchasing a home included in a housing project administered by a related housing corporation." H.B. 3790 makes housing authorities' employees eligible, on the same basis as other qualified members of the general public, for programs assisting low-income persons. 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 392.043(b), Local Government Code, to exclude from the prohibition on an employee of a housing project having any dealings with a housing project for pecuniary gain, contracts or agreements entered into after January 1, 1970, to the extent approved by the board of commissioners of the housing authority, and gives examples of programs assisting persons of low income. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.