S.B. No. 1202




AN ACT
relating to the coordination of colonia initiatives and services to colonia residents. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 775.002, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (c) and (d) and adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: (c) The colonia initiatives coordinator shall [may] work with the other agencies and local officials involved in colonia projects in the state to: (1) coordinate efforts to address colonia issues; (2) identify nonprofit self-help groups to help with colonia initiatives; (3) set goals for each state fiscal year for colonia initiatives in the state, including goals to: (A) address easement problems; and (B) ensure that water and wastewater connections are extended from distribution lines to houses located in colonias; (4) ensure that the goals set under this subsection are met each state fiscal year; and (5) coordinate state outreach efforts to nonborder colonias and to political subdivisions capable of providing water and wastewater services to nonborder colonias. (d) The following agencies shall designate an officer or employee of the agency to serve as the agency's liaison for colonia initiatives: (1) the office of the attorney general; (2) the [Texas] Department of State Health Services; (3) the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs; (4) the Texas [Natural Resource Conservation] Commission on Environmental Quality; [and] (5) the Texas Water Development Board; (6) the Office of Rural Community Affairs; (7) the Office of State-Federal Relations; (8) the Texas Department of Insurance; and (9) the Texas Department of Transportation. (f) In coordinating colonia initiatives under this section, the coordinator shall consider the advice and recommendations of the Colonia Resident Advisory Committee established under Section 2306.584. SECTION 2. Chapter 775, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 775.004 to read as follows: Sec. 775.004. DEVELOPMENT OF STRATEGY TO ASSIST COLONIA RESIDENTS. (a) To improve services delivered to colonia residents, the colonia initiatives coordinator shall work with the Colonia Resident Advisory Committee established under Section 2306.584. (b) The coordinator may establish an advisory committee similar to the Colonia Resident Advisory Committee to supplement the efforts of the Colonia Resident Advisory Committee by providing representation for colonia residents in counties that are not represented by a member of the Colonia Resident Advisory Committee. (c) The coordinator shall consider the advice of the Colonia Resident Advisory Committee and any committee established under Subsection (b) regarding the needs of colonia residents. (d) Based on the advice received under Subsection (c) and any recommendations received from the agencies listed in Section 775.002(d), the coordinator shall define and develop a strategy to address the needs of colonia residents and make recommendations to the legislature based on that strategy. The coordinator shall recommend appropriate programs, grants, and activities to the legislature. SECTION 3. Section 2306.585, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (c) The advisory committee shall advise the colonia initiatives coordinator as provided by Section 775.004. SECTION 4. (a) Not later than December 1, 2006, the colonia initiatives coordinator shall submit a report to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each member of the legislature. (b) The report must: (1) document: (A) the recommendations provided by the Colonia Resident Advisory Committee and any other similar committee to the colonia initiatives coordinator; and (B) the actions taken by the colonia initiatives coordinator to address the recommendations; (2) outline a long-range plan to improve the quality of life of colonia residents and propose legislation to implement the plan; and (3) recommend appropriate programs, grants, and activities to address the needs of colonia residents. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1202 passed the Senate on April 21, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1202 passed the House on May 25, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, two present not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor