HBA-CMT H.B. 2377 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2377
By: Burnam
Urban Affairs
3/25/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Many people with disabilities face difficulties in securing housing.  They
often live at low income levels and encounter a shortage of housing units
that adequately address accessibility requirements.  The low income housing
tax credit program is the primary means of directing private capital toward
the creation of affordable rental housing in Texas, but not enough
accessible housing units are being developed by this program to meet the
demand   Currently, some multifamily developments in Texas are based on
design standards set forth in the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
House Bill 2377 requires the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs to comply with accessibility standards outlined in the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for housing developed through the low income
housing tax credit program. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2377 amends the Government Code to require a project to which a
low income housing tax credit is allocated to comply with the accessibility
standards required under the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.