Bill > SB399

This bill establishes a biennial audit process for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of state services provided to homeless individuals, beginning in 2028. The State Auditor will be required to engage an independent external auditor to conduct a comprehensive review of state agencies involved in homelessness services, including the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Health and Human Services Commission, and six other specified state agencies. The audit will examine state resources used for homeless services and assess the performance of agencies and community service providers based on specific metrics, such as housing stability, employment, education, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and criminal justice involvement. The audit will rate each agency, program, or provider as "unsatisfactory," "satisfactory," or "exemplary" and provide recommendations for improving services, eliminating poorly performing programs, and reallocating resources. The external auditor must complete the audit within 90 days, and the State Auditor will prepare a report to be submitted to state leadership and published online by November 1 of the audit year. The bill specifies that the audit will be conducted using existing allocated resources and will first be implemented in 2028, with the initial provision expiring on January 1, 2029.

Budget and Finance

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB399