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