HB 1965: Faith and Community Collaboration

On April 19, 2011, the Texas House of Representatives voted to pass HB 1965, a bill by Representative Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham.

HB 1965 will implement findings from a task force created last session that focused on strengthening nonprofit capacity and gathered feedback from nonprofit agencies around the state.

The bill would expand faith and community-based health and human services initiatives in the state and also expand the list of agencies that are required to appoint an employee as a liaison for such organizations.

This list would grow to include the Office of the Governor, the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Department of Insurance, the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Agriculture, the Office of the Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Department of Information Resources, the Office of State-Federal Relations, and the Office of the Secretary of State.

HB 1965 would also require the establishment of an interagency coordinating group that would help improve contracting relationships between agencies and nonprofit organizations. The group would be responsible for developing best practices for collaboration and identifying any service gaps and duplication of services between state agencies and faith and community-based organizations.

The bill will now move to the Senate for consideration.

Texas Impact supports the bill and is excited about the opportunities this bill provides for nonprofit organizations to work with state agencies to provide services to communities and work for social justice in an efficient, organized and collaborative environment.

Track the progress of HB 1965 here.