House approves statewide homeless data‑sharing network to coordinate services

The Texas House approved House Bill 636, a bill to authorize and facilitate a statewide homeless data‑sharing network, after Representative Wally explained the bill on the floor.

Representative Wally told the chamber the bill’s purpose is narrow: “All this bill does is allow to gather statewide homeless, data across the state so that we can respond by the agencies helping us respond to get folks off your streets. That's all it does,” he said. He moved final passage on the floor and emphasized the law’s role as a coordination tool rather than a mandate on local service providers.

Floor discussion did not provide appropriation details or a specific technology vendor; lawmakers asked primarily about clarity of purpose rather than operational mechanics. Proponents framed the bill as a way to enable local service providers, health and housing agencies to see real‑time needs and coordinate interventions more promptly than current disconnected systems allow.

The clerk recorded a final vote of 77 ayes and 44 nays. The bill passed the House and will proceed in the legislative process for enrollment and transmittal.