Sec. 201.406. RELOCATION ASSISTANCE. (a) In addition to authority granted by other law, the department may reimburse transferred employees for expenses or costs related to selling existing housing and purchasing and financing comparable replacement housing if the director determines that the transfer will enhance the department's ability to accomplish its goals and missions.

(b) For purposes of this section, the following expenses or costs related to the selling of existing housing and the leasing, purchasing, and financing of comparable replacement housing are reimbursable:

(1) any commissions and fees due to a broker or real estate agent;

(2) costs incurred as a purchaser to obtain a home loan, including loan application fees, credit report fees, and mortgage points;

(3) origination fees, title insurance, recording fees, and all other closing costs required to be paid by the employee;

(4) fees or charges, other than refundable deposits, necessary to establish telephone, gas, and electric service; and

(5) travel expenses incurred while looking for a new residence, reimbursed at the standard mileage rate, for travel to and from the new designated headquarters.

(c) Under this section, the department may not:

(1) provide reimbursement for more than five employees per fiscal year;

(2) pay a sum of more than $15,000 to any employee;

(3) purchase or pay any part of the purchase price of any employee's home;

(4) provide reimbursement for the purchase or financing of a house if the employee did not own and occupy existing housing at the time of transfer; or

(5) provide reimbursement when the distance between the two designated headquarters of a transferred employee is less than 25 miles.

(d) The department may pay the reasonable, necessary, and resulting costs of moving the household goods and effects of a transferred employee if:

(1) the director determines that the transfer will enhance the department's ability to accomplish its goals and missions; and

(2) the distance between the two designated headquarters of a transferred employee is at least 25 miles.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1171, Sec. 1.38, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.