83R10343 DDT-F
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1554
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the establishment of a matching grant program for rural
economic development.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 487, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter S to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER S. RURAL AREA REGIONAL PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM
Sec. 487.851. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
(1) "Program" means the rural area regional planning
and implementation matching grant program established under this
subchapter.
(2) "Rural area" means an area that is predominantly
rural in character as defined by the office.
Sec. 487.852. RURAL AREA REGIONAL PLANNING AND
IMPLEMENTATION MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The office shall
create the rural area regional planning and implementation matching
grant program to foster regional collaboration for community and
economic development in rural areas.
(b) The office may award matching grants for the planning
and implementation of regionally identified objectives in a rural
area.
Sec. 487.853. ELIGIBLE ENTITIES. (a) To be awarded a
matching grant under the program for a proposed project, an
application, including a description of the project proposal, must
be jointly submitted by two or more of the following entities in the
form prescribed by the office:
(1) a municipality;
(2) a county;
(3) an economic development corporation;
(4) a community foundation;
(5) a faith-based organization;
(6) a hospital or clinic;
(7) an institution of higher education, as defined by
Section 61.003, Education Code; or
(8) a commission, as defined by Section 391.002, Local
Government Code.
(b) Entities that jointly submit an application under
Subsection (a) must be physically located in at least:
(1) two or more adjacent rural counties; or
(2) two or more municipalities or census-designated
places in a rural county.
Sec. 487.854. GRANT AWARDS. The office shall give
preference to eligible applicants that demonstrate an inclusive
planning and implementation process over other eligible applicants
for an award of a matching grant under the program.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2013.