89R3688 MP-D
By: Gervin-Hawkins H.B. No. 784
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a grant program for municipal pedestrian infrastructure
administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community
Affairs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Subchapter K, Chapter 2306,
Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS
SECTION 2. Subchapter K, Chapter 2306, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2306.2595 to read as follows:
Sec. 2306.2595. PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM. (a) In
this section:
(1) "Grant" means financial assistance that is awarded
in the form of money to a municipality for a specific purpose and
that is not required to be repaid. For purposes of this section,
the term includes a forgivable loan.
(2) "Grant fund" means the pedestrian infrastructure
grant fund.
(b) The department shall award grants to municipalities to
construct pedestrian infrastructure related to sidewalks, curbs,
or pedestrian lighting. The department may only award a grant under
a contract between the department and a grant recipient that
includes provisions under which the department is given sufficient
control to ensure the public purpose of protecting the safety of the
public is accomplished and the state receives the return benefit.
(c) The grant fund is a dedicated account in the general
revenue fund and consists of:
(1) appropriations of money to the grant fund by the
legislature;
(2) gifts, grants, including federal grants, and other
donations received for the grant fund; and
(3) interest earned on the investment of money in the
grant fund.
(d) The grant fund may be used by the department only to:
(1) award grants under this section; and
(2) administer the grant program under this section.
(e) Section 403.0956 does not apply to the grant fund.
(f) The department shall adopt rules necessary to
administer this section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.