APPOINTMENT OF TENANT REPRESENTATIVE OR CERTAIN OTHER RECIPIENTS OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE AS COMMISSIONER OF MUNICIPAL, COUNTY, OR REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY.

(a) This section applies only to:

(1) a municipality; or

(2) a county that has a county housing authority or is a member of regional housing authority and the total number of units in the authority is more than 750.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (b-1), in appointing commissioners under Section 392.031, a municipality with a municipal housing authority composed of five commissioners shall appoint at least one commissioner to the authority who is a tenant of a public housing project over which the authority has jurisdiction or who is a recipient of housing assistance administered through the authority's housing choice voucher program or project-based rental assistance program. In appointing commissioners under Section 392.031, a municipality with a municipal housing authority composed of seven or more commissioners shall appoint at least two commissioners to the authority who are tenants of a public housing project over which the authority has jurisdiction or who are recipients of housing assistance administered through the authority's housing choice voucher program or project-based rental assistance program.

(b-1) The presiding officer of the governing body of a municipality that has a municipal housing authority in which the total number of units is 150 or fewer is not required to appoint a tenant or a recipient of housing assistance to the position of commissioner as otherwise required by Subsection (b) if the presiding officer has provided timely notice of a vacancy in the position to all eligible tenants or recipients of housing assistance and is unable to fill the position with an eligible tenant or recipient of housing assistance before the 60th day after the date the position becomes vacant.

(b-2) Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 315 (H.B. 2529), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2019.

(b-3) Repealed by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 315 (H.B. 2529), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2019.

(c) In appointing commissioners under Section 392.032, a county shall appoint at least one commissioner to a county housing authority who is a tenant of a public housing project over which the county housing authority has jurisdiction or who is a recipient of housing assistance administered through the authority's housing choice voucher program or project-based rental assistance program.

(d) In appointing commissioners under Section 392.033, a county or counties comprising a regional housing authority shall appoint at least one commissioner to a regional housing authority who is a tenant of a public housing project over which the regional housing authority has jurisdiction or who is a recipient of housing assistance administered through the authority's housing choice voucher program or project-based rental assistance program. If more than one county comprises a regional housing authority, the counties shall agree to a method for appointing to the regional housing authority the member who is a tenant or a recipient of housing assistance.

(e) A commissioner appointed under this section may not be an officer or employee of the municipality or county that appoints the commissioner.

(f) Repealed by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 262, Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.

(f-1) Repealed by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 262, Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.

(g) A commissioner appointed under this section may not participate:

(1) in any vote or discussion concerning the termination of:

(A) the commissioner's occupancy rights in public housing;

(B) the commissioner's rights to housing assistance administered through a housing choice voucher program or a project-based rental assistance program; or

(C) the rights of any person related in the first degree by consanguinity to the commissioner with respect to the person's occupancy rights in public housing or right to receive housing assistance administered through a housing choice voucher program or a project-based rental assistance program; or

(2) in a grievance or administrative hearing in which the commissioner or a person related in the first degree by consanguinity to the commissioner is a party.

(h) If a commissioner appointed under this section as a tenant of a public housing project ceases to reside in a housing unit operated by the public housing authority during the commissioner's term, a majority of the other commissioners shall decide whether to request that a new commissioner be appointed. A majority of the commissioners may decide to allow the commissioner to serve the remaining portion of the commissioner's term.

(h-1) If a commissioner appointed under this section as a recipient of housing assistance administered through the authority's housing choice voucher program or project-based rental assistance program ceases to receive that assistance, a majority of the other commissioners shall decide whether to request that a new commissioner be appointed. A majority of the commissioners may decide to allow the commissioner to serve the remaining portion of the commissioner's term.

(i) If a commissioner appointed under this section fails to attend three consecutive regularly called meetings of the housing authority commissioners during the commissioner's term, a majority of the commissioners shall decide whether to declare the position vacant and request that a new commissioner be appointed. A majority of the commissioners may decide to allow the commissioner to serve the remaining portion of the commissioner's term.