89R3071 AND-D     By: Johnson S.B. No. 1324       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the establishment of a housing assistance pilot program   to assist certain students enrolled in public junior colleges.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 130, Education Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter N to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER N. HOUSING ASSISTANCE PILOT PROGRAM          Sec. 130.401.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "pilot   program" means the housing assistance pilot program established   under this subchapter.          Sec. 130.402.  PILOT PROGRAM PURPOSE. The purpose of the   pilot program is to provide needs-based grants to assist eligible   students in the payment of the cost of maintaining housing,   including payments for eviction prevention, rental payments, and   deposit fees for rental units.          Sec. 130.403.  ADMINISTRATION OF PILOT PROGRAM. (a) The   Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall administer the   pilot program in coordination with the Texas Education Agency, the   Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and the Texas   Interagency Council for the Homeless. The coordinating board   shall:                (1)  create a housing assistance fund for the duration   of the pilot program; and                (2)  deposit in the fund for each academic year of the   pilot program an amount equal to the amount of any gifts, grants,   donations, or appropriations designated for the program.          (b)  If the pilot program is not continued by law as of August   31, 2029, any money remaining in the fund shall be credited to the   general revenue fund on that date.          Sec. 130.404.  ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS. A junior college   district with an enrollment of 40,000 students or more is eligible   to participate in the pilot program.          Sec. 130.405.  ELIGIBILITY FOR GRANT. (a) The Texas Higher   Education Coordinating Board, in consultation with the staff of the   participating public junior colleges, including student support   specialists, the Texas Homeless Network, and homeless response   system leads for the areas in which participating junior colleges   are located, shall establish eligibility criteria for students to   receive a grant under the pilot program. The eligibility criteria   must:                (1)  require an applicant to be enrolled at a   participating public junior college; and                (2)  allow for the consideration of an applicant's   FAFSA application data or other relevant information.          (b)  The coordinating board may apply the eligibility   criteria to create a formula for the disbursement of money under the   pilot program.          Sec. 130.406.  THIRD PARTY ADMINISTRATOR. (a) The Texas   Higher Education Coordinating Board may contract with a third party   to design and administer the pilot program in consultation with the   Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the Texas   Interagency Council for the Homeless.          (b)  A third party administrator shall report to the   coordinating board and the Texas Education Agency in the manner   agreed to under a contract entered into under this section.          Sec. 130.407.  REPORTS. (a) Not later than October 1 of   each even-numbered year, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating   Board shall prepare a report on the effectiveness of the pilot   program. The report must include a recommendation regarding   whether the pilot program should be continued, expanded, or   terminated.          (b)  The coordinating board shall deliver a copy of the   report to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house of   representatives, and each standing committee of the legislature   having primary jurisdiction over higher education.          Sec. 130.408.  EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires   September 1, 2029.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter N, Chapter 130, Education Code, as   added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic   year.          SECTION 3.  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, 2025.