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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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rel |
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ating to the services provided by a colonia self-help center. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 2306.586(a), (b), (c), and (d), |
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Government Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The purpose of a self-help center is to assist |
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individuals and families of low income and very low income to |
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finance, refinance, construct, improve, or maintain a safe, |
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suitable home and otherwise improve living conditions in the |
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colonias' designated service area or in another area the department |
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has determined is suitable. |
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(b) A self-help center shall set a goal to improve the |
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living conditions of residents in the colonias designated under |
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Section 2306.583(b) [2306.583(a)(2)] within a two-year period |
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after a contract is awarded under this subchapter. |
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(c) A self-help center may serve individuals and families of |
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low income and very low income by: |
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(1) providing assistance in obtaining loans or grants |
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to build a home; |
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(2) teaching construction skills necessary to repair |
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or build a home; |
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(3) providing model home plans; |
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(4) operating a program to rent or provide tools for |
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home construction and improvement for the benefit of property |
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owners in colonias who are building or repairing a residence or |
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installing necessary residential infrastructure; |
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(5) helping to obtain, construct, access, or improve |
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the service and utility infrastructure designed to service |
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residences in a colonia, including potable water, wastewater |
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disposal, drainage, streets, and utilities; |
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(6) surveying or platting residential property that an |
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individual purchased without the benefit of a legal survey, plat, |
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or record; |
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(7) providing credit and debt counseling related to |
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home purchase and finance; |
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(8) applying for grants and loans to provide housing |
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and other needed community improvements; |
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(9) providing other services that the self-help |
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center, with the approval of the department, determines are |
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necessary to assist colonia residents in improving their [physical] |
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living conditions, including help in: |
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(A) obtaining suitable alternative housing |
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outside of a colonia's area; and |
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(B) performing the following authorized public |
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service activities under Title 1 of the Housing and Community |
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Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. Section 5301 et seq.): |
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(i) securing employment; |
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(ii) establishing or expanding a small |
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business; or |
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(iii) managing personal finances; |
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(10) providing assistance in obtaining loans or grants |
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to enable an individual or a family to acquire fee simple title to |
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property that originally was purchased under a contract for a deed, |
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contract for sale, or other executory contract; and |
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(11) providing monthly programs to educate |
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individuals and families on their rights and responsibilities as |
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property owners. |
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(d) A self-help center may not provide grants, financing, or |
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mortgage loan services to purchase, build, rehabilitate, or finance |
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construction or improvements to a home or otherwise improve living |
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conditions in a colonia if water service and suitable wastewater |
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disposal are not available. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |