HOUSING COMMITTEE ADOPTS FINAL REPORT

AUSTIN - The Senate Interim Committee on Housing held their final meeting Wednesday, August 26, at the Texas Capitol, to adopt the final report to be presented to the 76th Legislature. The committee has held public hearings throughout the state during this interim to monitor the implementation of House Bill 2577 which deals with creating affordable housing for Texans. The committee was charged with assessing the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs' and the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation's effectiveness, and reviewing the operation and administration of the Texas Affordable Housing Corporation's mortgage banking activities and lending transactions.

Members of the committee include Senators Eddie Lucio Jr. of Brownsville serving as chair, Rodney Ellis of Houston, Florence Shapiro of Plano, Carlos F. Truan of Corpus Christi, and Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio.

ANNEXATION COMMITTEE ADOPTS FINAL REPORT

AUSTIN - The Senate Interim Committee on Annexation held its final meeting on Wednesday, August 26, at the Texas Capitol to adopt its final report to the 76th Legislature. The committee has held several hearings around the state to review Texas' annexation policies including extraterritorial jurisdiction and municipal annexation. Highlights include the recommendation of a three year annexation plan for areas proposed to be annexed by larger municipalities and for third party resolution on service disputes between proposed areas and annexing cities.

Members of the committee include Senators Frank Madla of San Antonio serving as chair, Gonzalo Barrientos of Austin, Mario Gallegos of Houston, Michael Galloway of The Woodlands, and Jon Lindsay of Houston.

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL FRANCHISE AGREEMENTS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS UTILITIES ADOPTS FINAL REPORT

AUSTIN - The Legislative Committee on Municipal Franchise Agreements for Telecommunications Utilities held their final meeting on Wednesday, August 26, at the Texas Capitol to adopt the final report to the 76th Legislature. The committee has held public hearings throughout the state to explore ways to maintain fairness among franchise fee agreements between telecommunications firms and municipal governments, and to balance the benefits to consumers against the disruption to roads and infrastructure due to construction by firms expanding into the newly-competitive markets. The report includes a standardized compensation methodology, a fee per access line.

Members of the committee include Senators Eddie Lucio Jr. of Brownsville serving as co-chair, David Sibley of Waco, Florence Shapiro of Plano, and Representatives Bill Carter of Fort Worth, Fred Hill of Richardson, and Steve Wolens of Dallas.

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