H.B. No. 74
AN ACT
relating to certain 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. Section 2306.6702(a), Government Code, is
amended by adding Subdivisions (12) and (17) to read as follows:
(12) "Rural area" means an area that is:
(A) described by Section 2306.004(28-a); or
(B) designated by the department as a rural area
under Section 2306.6740.
(17) "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:
(A) described by Section 2306.004(28-a)(B); or
(B) designated by the department as a rural area
under Section 2306.6740.
SECTION 2. Subchapter DD, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2306.6740 to read as follows:
Sec. 2306.6740. DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN AREAS AS RURAL. (a)
The department by rule shall provide for the designation by the
department of an area located within the boundaries of a primary
metropolitan statistical area or a metropolitan statistical area as
a rural area under Section 2306.6702(a)(12)(B) for purposes of
receiving housing tax credits administered by the department under
this subchapter.
(b) Rules adopted under this section must:
(1) provide procedures by which a political
subdivision or a census-designated place may apply for a rural
designation;
(2) provide guidelines for designating an area as
rural, including specifying:
(A) conditions under which a rural designation is
not appropriate, including the proximity of the area to or the
presence of major amenities commonly associated with urban or
suburban areas; and
(B) conditions under which a rural designation is
appropriate, including areas with low population density, the
proximity of the area to or the absence of major amenities commonly
associated with urban or suburban areas, a high level of
undeveloped land, a significant presence of unimproved roads, or
significant agricultural activity; and
(3) ensure that any housing tax credits allocated to a
designated rural area comply with applicable federal requirements
regarding that assistance.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 74 was passed by the House on April
30, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 122, Nays 17, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 74 on May 29, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 90, Nays 46, 3
present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 74 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 27, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays
5.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor