HOUSTON URBAN GOVERNANCE OVERSIGHT AND RECOVERY ACT (HUGORA)

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.


This Act may be cited as the “Houston Urban Governance Oversight and Recovery Act” or “HUGORA”.

SECTION 2. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:
(1) The City of Houston, Texas, is facing a severe fiscal deficit and systemic mismanagement that threaten its ability to deliver essential services.
(2) Investigative reports and community evidence point to sustained patterns of administrative inefficiency, lack of financial transparency, and alleged public corruption.
(3) Houston’s infrastructure, public safety, and essential utilities are deteriorating under current conditions.
(4) Federal funds are significantly invested in Houston through programs managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others.
(5) The federal government has a responsibility to ensure taxpayer resources are effectively administered and that essential urban services reach intended beneficiaries.

SECTION 3. PURPOSE.


The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Authorize a federal audit and oversight of the City of Houston’s financial and administrative operations;
(2) Condition federal funding on compliance with transparency and recovery requirements;
(3) Support the reorganization or federal supervision of local agencies where mismanagement is demonstrated;
(4) Protect residents’ access to essential services and safeguard federal resources.

SECTION 4. FEDERAL AUDIT AND OVERSIGHT INITIATIVE.


(a) The Government Accountability Office (GAO), in coordination with the Office of the Inspector General of HUD, shall conduct a comprehensive audit of:
(1) Houston’s municipal finances over the past 10 fiscal years;
(2) The use of federal funds in infrastructure, housing, and energy projects;
(3) Compliance with federal and state transparency laws.
(b) Upon completion of the audit, findings shall be reported to Congress within 180 days.

SECTION 5. FEDERAL FUNDING CONDITIONS.

(a) The release or renewal of federal grants to the City of Houston shall be subject to:
(1) Submission of corrective action plans where deficiencies are found;
(2) Annual independent audits approved by federal agencies;
(3) Appointment of federal compliance monitors in high-risk departments.

SECTION 6. INTERVENTION MEASURES.


(a) In cases of persistent mismanagement or fraud, the President may authorize:
(1) Temporary federal administration of specific city functions (e.g. housing authority, utilities, permitting);
(2) Creation of a joint federal-state recovery commission for urban restructuring;
(3) Redirection of federal funds to state or non-profit administrators within Houston.

SECTION 7. COMMUNITY PROTECTION CLAUSE.


Federal oversight and restructuring measures shall ensure continuity in essential public services, prioritizing low-income, minority, and vulnerable populations.

SECTION 8. SUNSET PROVISION.


This Act shall remain in effect for a period of 10 years from enactment and may be renewed upon Congressional review.

SECTION 9. DEFINITIONS.


(1) “Federal compliance monitor” means an individual or team designated by a federal agency to supervise local program adherence.
(2) “Corrective action plan” refers to a documented reform program addressing audit findings.

SECTION 10. EFFECTIVE DATE.


This Act shall take effect immediately upon enactment.