84R6194 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 25,000 or less.
(b) The department shall designate a statistical area
described by Subsection (a) 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 if the
department receives an ordinance or order:
(1) adopted by the governing body of the applicable
political subdivision seeking the designation described by this
subsection; and
(2) stating that the statistical area is a rural area
for purposes of receiving the financial assistance.
(c) For purposes of Subsection (b), the governing body of a
census-designated place identified by the United States Census
Bureau is the commissioner's court of the county in which the place
is located.
(d) The department shall adopt rules ensuring 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.