Campos Bill Lets The Housing Department Never Start The Pilot

The text as introduced · 451 words

89R12925 JAM-F

By: Campos
H.B. No. 2746

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment by the Texas Department of Housing

and Community Affairs of a pilot program to solicit donations made

by text message for the benefit of local programs that provide

services to homeless individuals and families in certain

municipalities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter K, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is

amended by adding Section 2306.2582 to read as follows:

Sec. 2306.2582. HOMELESS "TEXT-TO-DONATE" PILOT PROGRAM.

(a) The department may implement and administer a pilot program to

solicit donations made by text message for the benefit of local

programs that provide services to homeless individuals and families

in municipalities with a population of 285,000 or more. If

implemented, the program shall:

(1) facilitate the process by which a person may use

text messaging to make a private donation to help homeless

individuals and families;

(2) encourage private donations to be made for the

benefit of local programs that prevent and eliminate homelessness;

and

(3) fund local programs that provide emergency housing

and transportation to homeless individuals and families.

(b) The department may adopt rules to govern the

implementation and administration of the program, including rules

that:

(1) provide for the designation of a

telecommunications carrier and text messaging service used for the

program;

(2) facilitate the acquisition of a statewide phone

number and donation code;

(3) provide the ability for an individual to make a

donation by text message in an amount chosen by the individual, to

charge the donation to the individual's phone bill or credit card,

and to select the municipality that will benefit from the donation;

(4) protect the confidentiality of donor information;

(5) establish a fund in the department to receive and

disburse money under the program;

(6) facilitate the coordination with municipalities

for the disbursement of money received under the program;

(7) establish qualifications for local organizations

to request and receive donations made through the program; and

(8) facilitate the promotion of the program to the

general public including the placement of signage in areas of a

municipality that may be impacted by large populations of homeless

persons.

(c) Of the money donated under the program, the department

shall allocate:

(1) not less than 65 percent for costs associated with

housing homeless individuals and families;

(2) not less than 20 percent for transportation costs;

(3) not less than five percent for the promotion of the

program; and

(4) not more than 10 percent for overhead and

administrative costs.

(d) The department may assign personnel to coordinate the

administration and implementation of the program.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.