84R1771 JAM-D
By: González H.B. No. 74
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to financial assistance administered by the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs in certain rural areas.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 2306.004(28-a) and (36), Government
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(28-a) "Rural area" means an area that is located:
(A) outside the boundaries of a primary
metropolitan statistical area or a metropolitan statistical area;
or
(B) within the boundaries of a primary
metropolitan statistical area or a metropolitan statistical area,
if the [statistical] area:
(i) has a population of 25,000 or less and
does not share a boundary with an urban area; or
(ii) is designated by the department as a
rural area under Section 2306.0075.
(36) "Urban area" means the area that is located
within the boundaries of a primary metropolitan statistical area or
a metropolitan statistical area other than an area described by
Subdivision (28-a)(B) [or eligible for funding as described by
Subdivision (28-a)(C)].
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2306.0075 to read as follows:
Sec. 2306.0075. DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN AREAS AS RURAL. (a)
This section applies only to an area that:
(1) is located within the boundaries of a primary
metropolitan statistical area or a metropolitan statistical area;
and
(2) has a population of 10,000 or less.
(b) A statistical area described by Subsection (a) may apply
to the department for designation as a rural area under Section
2306.004(28-a)(B)(ii) for purposes of receiving financial
assistance administered by the department under this chapter.
(c) The department shall adopt rules governing the process
by which statistical areas are designated as rural areas under this
section. The rules must:
(1) establish procedures regarding the submission of
applications under this section;
(2) provide additional eligibility standards for
making the designations authorized by this section; and
(3) ensure that financial assistance provided to a
designated rural area complies with any applicable federal
requirements regarding that assistance.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.