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Bill

SB 399

Relating to a biennial audit of the effectiveness and efficiencies of state services provided to homeless individuals.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Kevin Sparks

Texas SB 399 requires biennial audits evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of state services provided to homeless individuals.

Referred to Finance
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Bill Summary · SB 399

Legislative bill overview

SB 399 mandates a biennial (every two years) audit of how effectively and efficiently state services are being delivered to homeless individuals in Texas. The bill requires systematic evaluation of existing programs and their outcomes, focusing on both the quality of service delivery and cost-effectiveness of state resources directed toward homelessness.

Why is this important

Homelessness remains a significant public policy challenge affecting Texas cities, particularly Austin, Dallas, and Houston. A structured audit framework could identify which state programs work well, which waste resources, and where gaps exist—potentially improving outcomes while informing budget decisions. This data-driven approach helps policymakers understand whether current spending actually reduces homelessness or merely manages symptoms.

Potential points of contention

  • Audit scope and cost: Defining what counts as "state services" to homeless individuals and conducting thorough biennial audits requires resources; some may view this as administrative overhead rather than direct assistance.
  • Effectiveness metrics: Disagreement likely exists over how to measure "effectiveness"—does success mean reducing homelessness numbers, improving individual outcomes, or increasing service accessibility? Different metrics produce different conclusions.
  • Accountability concerns: Business and conservative groups may want audits to expose inefficiencies and justify budget cuts, while homeless advocacy organizations may worry audits precede funding reductions rather than improvements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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